Ralph Steadman
The image of gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson is inseparably associated with the ink-splattered illustrations that accompany, expand, and at times contradict his narrative - these illustrations are the brainchild of artist Ralph Steadman. Born in the UK in 1936, Steadman grew up in North Wales, and studied at the London College of Printing and Graphic Arts. As a cartoonist and caricaturist, he quickly became known for his work for satirical political publications such as Punch. In 1970, Thompson's article for Scanlan's Monthly on the Kentucky Derby (The Kentucky Derby Is Decadent and Depraved) merged pages ripped out of Thompson's notebook with signature illustrations by Steadman, and gave birth to gonzo journalism. The next year brought about an even bigger event: the publication in Rolling Stone of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream, once again featuring the partnership of Thompson and Steadman, a partnership - and friendship - which continued throughout Thompson's life. Steadman's work has not been limited to this collaboration: his output has been both prolific and diverse, covering everything from illustrations for children's books to the label for Cardinal 'Spiced' Zin' wine, banned for its "disturbing" depiction of a Catholic cardinal. So, next time you're at (or inclined to create) a gonzotic event, think about the artist that helped HST bring gonzo to the world, and raise a glass of "disturbing" wine in his name.
