TORRANCE, CALIF.- “Ralph Steadman: And Another Thing” is on view now through May 9 at the Torrance Art Museum. The remarkable retrospective spans more than 60 years of Steadman’s career with 149 original artworks and ephemera, sketchbooks, children’s books, magazines, personal photographs and handwritten notes that tell a fuller story of how the artworks were born.

“Ralph 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, ‘And Another Thing’ 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 diehard fans and uninitiated audiences eager to learn more.” 

From Steadman’s early years as a student to his political illustrations, social commentary and activism, the exhibition surveys Steadman’s nonstop creative passion and collaborations. Among early works in the exhibition, which show Steadman’s politically astute observations, are his unpublished “Tramp” series.” Works throughout Steadman’s career demonstrate his sometimes-biting wit. “Product of a Civilized Society” (1989), a satirical critique of hypocrisy and abuses of power, descended from these early works and his keen observations on modernity.

Steadman is perhaps most 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.  

The exhibition presents a rare opportunity to see Steadman’s original hand drawings — including illustrations of literary classics such as Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland;” Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island;” and Kurt Vonnegut’s “Fahrenheit 451,” created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the dystopian classic.

“Ralph Steadman visited Los Angeles frequently through the 1970s, 80s and 90s, so in many ways it was instrumental in shaping his vision of America,” said Sadie Williams, director of the Ralph Steadman Art Collection. “We are so excited to bring to Los Angeles so many pieces that were inspired and informed by the sights and characters he encountered in this iconic city. From the artificial streets and life-size cartoon characters in Disneyland to the gritty scenes in Santa Monica, the rarified air of the Hollywood Hills and the neon lights of Sunset Boulevard, all these parts of the city filtered into his artworks.”



Steadman’s hellish illustrations from “Fahrenheit 451,” including “The Mechanical Hound and Guy Montag” (2003) embody a world where fire destroys words and civil dissent is not tolerated.

Steadman’s artwork also includes theological and environmental themes. Illustrations from his book “The Big I Am” (1988), which offers God’s apology for divine vindictiveness and cosmic indifference, include “Crying Earth” (1988), which captures the sense of helplessness and smallness felt, at times, by humankind. In the book, Steadman wrote, “GOD wakes and watches as His, Their child screams around the universe in helpless, wretched confusion, seemingly on a course of self-destruction.”



A longtime advocate for environmental issues and conservation, Steadman’s passion for wildlife is evident in his illustrations that appeared in the books “Extinct Boids” (2012), “Nextinction” (2015) and “Critical Critters” (2017), which focus on endangered animals. These works — created with author, conservationist and filmmaker Ceri Levy — gave birth to the Gonzovation Movement. The three books together have come to be known as “The Gonzovation Trilogy.”

The beautiful works from “The Gonzovation Trilogy” 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’s perspective about cartooning reveals a deeper purpose beyond his illustrations.

“Cartooning wasn’t just making a little picture and putting a caption underneath. It’s also something else — a vehicle for expression of some sort, protests or it’s actually a way of saying something which you cannot necessarily say in words,” Steadman said.



In “American Eagle” (1983), Steadman uses his art to question the idealism of America’s conventional national symbol, encouraging viewers to challenge the status quo and to consider their perceptions of American patriotism and the flaws and hypocrisies within the country’s power structures. This subversion of America’s traditional majestic national symbol projects vicious aggression rather than strength and freedom.

The exhibition also includes illustrations of American presidents. His portraits of former Presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald R. Ford, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Jimmy Carter demonstrate 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.

“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 of 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 them in.”

“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.



“Ralph Steadman’s influence on culture — from books and comics to politics and movies — has made him one of the leading illustrators of our time,” said Max Presneill, director and head curator of Torrance Art Museum. “Torrance Art Museum is honored to present his legacy to southern California so his many fans can see his works in real life and new supporters can see what the fuss is about. As a personal favorite of mine, I cannot wait to spend some serious time with this collection.”

“Ralph Steadman’s influence on culture — from books and comics to politics and movies — has made him one of the leading illustrators of our time,” said Max Presneill, director and head curator of Torrance Art Museum. “Torrance Art Museum is honored to present his legacy to southern California so his many fans can see his works in real life and new supporters can see what the fuss is about. As a personal favorite of mine, I cannot wait to spend some serious time with this collection.”

Interactive Gonzo Art Trail invites fans from around the world

As part of “Ralph Steadman: And Another Thing” at Torrance Art Museum, the Gonzo Art Trail, facilitated by the app Goosechase, welcomes participants to contribute to creative gatherings and arts-related missions. Events and missions will be held throughout Los Angeles, Torrance and Santa Monica areas.

“The whole idea is to engage with the community on a street-level,” explained Williams. “Creativity and art are such powerful forces to bring people together, despite all the divisiveness. We’re encouraging the community to get out and be curious, engage with different perspectives and ideas and to have fun while doing it.”

The Trail will culminate at the Torrance Art Museum for the “Ralph Steadman: And Another Thing” exhibition. Those who join the app, take part and attend the exhibition will also receive a special, limited-edition commemorative Ralph Steadman enamel pin.



“While many challenges are in greater L.A., you can participate in missions from anywhere through the app,” Harris added. “We’ll have plenty of ways to get involved with missions from anywhere.”

To participate, download the Goosechase app. Slated in-person events include:

Following the presentation at Torrance Art Museum, the exhibition will travel to the Gregory Allicar Museum of Art at Colorado State University, from Aug. 27 to Dec. 13.

More on the exhibition at Torrance Art Museum, including programs and events, is available at www.torranceartmuseum.com/upcoming-exhibitions