LEWISTON, ME.- Embark on a visual adventure through the culture-shifting and fearless life of one of the most influential artists of our time with “Ralph Steadman: And Another Thing,” at Bates College Museum of Art. The exhibition includes 149 objects that deftly capture Steadman’s artistic practice.

“The vast selection of work by this iconic artist will fill the whole museum and provide an opportunity for everyone — from longtime fans to newcomers —to engage with Ralph Steadman’s incomparable works and experience the unique mind and defining style of such a pivotal creative in American culture,” said Samantha Sigmon, curator, Bates College Museum of Art.

Over the last six decades, Ralph Steadman has carved out a career by presenting his uncanny perspective — one that resonates with viewers.



“It’s essential to have some form of expression within your reach that gives you something to dwell upon,” Steadman stated. “But if I feel something is important, it may not be important to someone else. I don’t want to change anyone’s mind in an aggressive way. I hope they see my drawings and it makes them think about why I drew it and what opinion I am trying to express.”

Steadman is famous for his long collaboration with journalist and author Hunter S. Thompson and the development of Gonzo journalism in works such as “The Kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved,” first seen in Scanlan’s Monthly and the novel “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.” Their form of journalism continues to influence today’s online news sources, editorial pieces, social media, videos, political punditry and podcasts.

While “And Another Thing” pays tribute to Thompson and Steadman’s future-defining meeting and their famed collaborations, the exhibition leads viewers on a journey that is much more than a Gonzo exploration.  



“‘And Another Thing’ allows us to engage audiences with an exhibition that shows Steadman’s artistic evolution from his roots to the artist who continues to flourish, innovate and be in demand at 88 years old with interest from brands such as Nike, Harley-Davidson and Supreme, with whom he collaborated in the last three years,” said Sadie Williams, director of the Ralph Steadman Art Collection.

Beyond Gonzo journalism, political commentary has been a staple of Steadman’s work. The exhibition includes illustrations of President Donald Trump and former Presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald R. Ford, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Jimmy Carter. The works demonstrate his astute political satire that meshes their traits with the scandals that plagued their presidencies. Additionally, Steadman’s use of the high-contrast chiaroscuro technique in “American Melodrama” lampoons a gallery of presidents, ranging from Dwight D. Eisenhower to Ronald Reagan, who are depicted as theater performers on stage. The caricatures, their countenances exaggerated with insincere smiles, demonstrate Steadman’s razor-sharp satire.

“Steadman is well known for his direct and visceral drawing style and for changing and amplifying the face of satire through his illustrations,” said Andrea Lee Harris, the exhibition co-curator. “His art challenges us, teaches us and alters how we see the world. Showcasing Steadman’s genius, skill and imagination, the exhibition offers viewers a glimpse into the artist’s creative force. He has given us all a great gift and raised the bar for the generations following in his footsteps. Steadman’s inspired exhibition will delight both diehard fans and uninitiated audiences eager to learn more.” 



On display are his illustrated editions of literary classics such as Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland” and Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island;” Kurt Baumann’s “Dozy & Hawkeye;” the inventive books he authored such as “I, Leonardo,” “The Big I Am,” “The Little Red Computer” and “That’s My Dad” and so much more.

“I don't think people realize how big some of the artworks actually are,” Williams added. “Usually, the art is reproduced in books, magazines and newspapers at an eighth or even a 16th their actual size, so it’s a completely different experience to stand in front of an original. You can see the audience really absorbing the works and taking it in.”

Beautiful works from “The Gonzovation Trilogy,” his collaboration with documentarian and filmmaker Ceri Levy about extinct and endangered birds and animals, sit alongside his more experimental collections such as “Paranoids,” caricatures of notable figures from history, entertainment and politics that Steadman created by reworking Polaroid photographs.

Steadman explained, “What you’re doing is pushing around a light-motivated material which is still in the process of change. It’s as if you started off with a perfect blueprint of someone which you could then alter according to your needs.”



Distorted images depicting famous writers and musicians, including David Bowie, Elton John, Bob Dylan and Dolly Parton are among those celebrities shown in the exhibition.

“Vintage Dr. Gonzo,” a life-size bronze sculpture by Jud Bergeron, inspired by Steadman’s drawings of Thompson, will also be touring with the exhibition.

“We’re excited to be hosting ‘Ralph Steadman: And Another Thing’ this spring and summer at Bates,” said Malcolm Hill, vice president for academic affairs at Bates College and the interim director of the Bates College Museum of Art. “On an educational level, it’s nothing less than a history of culture spanning multiple generations and topics — politics, literature, Gonzo journalism. And the exhibition will overlap with performances at the Bates Dance Festival July 11 to August 2, so visitors to Bates can view works by Ralph Steadman at the museum during the day and then catch iconic dance performers such as the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company on stage in the evening.”



“Ralph Steadman: And Another Thing” is accompanied by a full-color, 207-page publication of the same name. Special hardcover and softcover editions are available. 

Following the presentation at the Bates College Museum of Art, the exhibition will continue its tour at the Barry Art Museum at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. It will also tour the West Coast through the fall of 2027.

During the summer months, the Bates College campus is home to the Bates Dance Festival, which will celebrate its 42nd season in 2025, running from July 11 to Aug. 1. The vibrant festival includes three weeks of dance intensives for young dancers and features world class performances in multiple venues. The exhibition will be open and free to the public during the festival. The exhibition closes Oct. 11, 2025.

For more information about the exhibition, programs and events at Bates College Museum of Art, visit www.bates.edu/museum/.



Ralph Steadman was born in Wallasey, England in 1936 and is one of his generation’s most prolific and provocative artists. His long collaboration with Hunter S. Thompson redefined journalism with far-reaching and indelible changes in how news is presented. He has illustrated numerous award-winning books, including Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland,” “The Grapes of Ralph” and “Untrodden Grapes” as well as “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” in collaboration with Thompson, which spawned two film adaptations and contributed to Steadman’s cult status. He also authored inventive books such as “I, Leonardo” and “The Big I Am.” He is an active artist today and continues to influence artists from around the globe.

The Ralph Steadman Art Collection (RSAC) was founded in 2010 to promote the work of iconic British artist Ralph Steadman. RSAC ensures Steadman’s work is exhibited and reproduced to the highest standard, working closely with the artist on exhibitions, collaborative licensing and design projects. RSAC has enjoyed partnerships with Alexander McQueen couture fashion house, urban fashion brands Vans and Supreme and the Royal Shakespeare Company, among others. As one of his generation’s most highly regarded cartoonists and illustrators, Steadman continues to influence artists worldwide. For more information, visit www.ralphsteadman.com