Ralph Steadman began his career as a cartoonist, turning his satirical gaze to the British social and political scene of the 1960s. In 1970 he travelled to the USA for the first time, meeting Hunter S. Thompson at the Kentucky Derby. Responding to what he called “the screaming lifestyle of America,” the resulting article, The Kentucky Derby Is Decadent and Depraved, would come to define a new form of journalism and Gonzo was born. Their collaboration would include three books, most famously Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and countless articles and features, frequently for Rolling Stone magazine.

His work has appeared in many newspapers and magazines, from Punch and Private Eye in the early years to the New Statesman, The New Yorker and the Independent.

He has illustrated literary classics, including Alice in Wonderland, Treasure Island, Animal Farm and Fahrenheit 451. His own books include the illustrated Sigmund Freud, I Leonardo, and The Big I Am. He wrote Doodaaa in 2002, partly satire and partly autobiography, and The Joke’s Over, the account of his relationship with Hunter S. Thompson, in 2006, following the gonzo journalist’s death.

Much of the 1990s was spent traveling the vineyards and distilleries of the world for the wine merchants Oddbins. These journeys resulted in three books, The Grapes of Ralph, Untrodden Grapes and Still Life with Bottle.

He has written illustrated children’s books, such as Teddy Where Are You? and That’s My Dad, books of poetry with his friend Adrian Mitchell, made sculptures and limited edition prints. He has designed theatre costumes and sets, produced graphics for television and film, and designed stamps.

He has completed three books with “‘Gonzovationist” Ceri Levy, Extinct Boids and Nextinction, about extinct and endangered birds, and Critical Critters about endangered animals. He is still in high demand today, working with brands, including Vans, Supreme, Nike, Harley Davidson, and F1’s Lewis Hamilton +44 label in the last few years. He is a visionary, a maverick, and a maestro. His work continues to influence and inspire artists around the world today.

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Twitter – @SteadmanArt

Instagram – @steadmanart