Mr. Steadman recently received a link to this stunning work, which he did with the artist Keith Newstead. Newstead writes...

I collaberated with the artist Ralph Steadman on this automata. It was commissioned for an exhibition called Devious Devices in 1990. It features God rising above storm clouds. Below the earth is supported on 4 elephants which in turn are supported by strange creatures. It was about 10 feet high and I have no idea where it is now.

Mr. Steadman writes:

I have found the drawing I did to be used by Keith Newstead when he constructed the machine . Oddly the date on the drawing is later! Actually on the drawing I had called it the Newsteadmanaton- incorporating our names.and describing the mechanical device.

The moving 'sculpture' was shown in an exhibition under an umbrella title, 'DEVIOUS DEVICES'. All was displayed in a Town Hall in Croydon (SOUTH EAST London). The Town Hall is referred to as The CROYDON CLOCKTOWER. So you see that there was an idiosyncratic and playful theme which involved good old Clockwork- still one of my own favourite power sources and pre-electronic back in 1990. Somebody must know where the actual machine/contraption resides if indeed it still exists!!Maybe someone may see this on the site and Keith himself may re-emerge, because I have lost touch with him too!! You might consider this to be very careless of me as well!!  I have also a couple of mobile figures fashioned by Keith which move when you wind a small crank on either one. Maybe we should show those as well when this is sorted.

Keith is a very ingenious individual!!

Maybe he will re-emerge too. It would be fascinating to know where he is....

OK. I attach a working drawing  which oddly yet shows a later date but which is very definitely connected to the working model made by Keith.  Curiouser and curiouser!!!!!

Mr. Steadman recently did the artwork for the Justin Kalk Orchestra's newest release "Blue Sky Traffic". And just what is Blue Sky Traffic all about? We'll let them explain it:

"Blue Sky Traffic" is a wolly mammoth of a debut from U.S.A's Justin Kalk Orchestra. Featuring 16 original songs and album art by gonzo painter Ralph Steadman (Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas, Rolling Stone, Flying Dog Beer) the album was recorded from 2007 - 2009 at the legendary Blackbird and Dark Horse recording studios in Nashville, Tennessee.

 Opening with the arena-shaking "I've Changed Too" the record is sure to quickly resonate with just about any animal. After Michael Green's triplet-based half time shuffle and the bands unbelievably simple groove carries the song to the second chorus, Justin's guitar solo pushes his own vocal out of the way as if erupting from the bowels of a monster.


The JKO's signature brand of FONQ Rock continues through "Cold Blooded Killer' and the Obama tinged, politically-oblivious hip hop of "1983" before settling down with Nashville's top session players for the bluegrass pop song "Frown, Frown, Frown".  The ghost like Pedal steel and train hopping Banjo are the perfect compliment to Justin's Lennon-esque tale of woe and want.

Justin's story continues on the most soulful song of the album "Pancakes & Syrup".  The stirring guitar lines and vocals slowly build before a string quartet led by violinist - Luke Bulla (Jerry Douglas Band, Bela Fleck, Lyle Lovett) introduces what may be a perfect stratocaster solo. 

After a 4 song mini symphony seemingly about sleeping in late, we find out why Mr. Ralph Steadman chose to paint a Giraffe on the cover.  The dream-like Gershwin influenced "Aurora Bora Palace" opens with a french horn (Vanessa  Barbee) as Kalk croons "Kelienne, far off the Giraffes neck, up, up away...".

The FONQ continues with more Insect / Super Nintendo hip hop featuring bassist SteO Britton.    After breaking down to the dark blues harmonics of "Painting a Wall" (written by Kalk at age 19), Brent Burgee wraps up the nearly 60 minute roller-coaster by taking us to the gospel tent with his overwhelming B-3 Organ chops on "Back In Love".  The rotating speaker by itself makes it impossible to listen to the JKO's  "Blue Sky Traffic" without leaving their world in a joyful mood.  Watch out for your ears!"

www.justinkalk.com

Mr. Steadman recently had a letter published in Architecture Week, outlining his concept for the Cathedragogue. And what is the Cathedragogue?

Read on....

"Outline Planning permission for development of the site is required to establish a spiritual centre, a multi-denominational church — a "Cathedragogue," to welcome all faiths in a spirit of mutual understanding, including the Buddhist, atheistic, agnostic and secular. Based on the premise that if there is a God, i.e. not a God of flesh and blood, but as human beings, the God we must all perceive to be the same one and only God, worshipped by all, or not, in the case of non-believers. How this manifests itself in our myriad ways on Earth cannot alter the nature of this omnipotent Being, acknowledged creator of the Universe, of which we are all a part. "

Read the full article on the Architecture Week site here.

Garibaldi's Biscuits!

Mr. Steadman has written and illustrated a new book for children: Garibaldi's Biscuits!

...THERE was great excitement when General Garibaldi returned to his beloved Italy after many years abroad. He had come to fight the greedy French Bourbons, who had invaded the country. Wearing ingenious pizza buckles on their belts and wielding water balloons, Garibaldi’s army soon defeated the rascally French, and the now world-famous Bourbon and Garibaldi biscuits were born . . .

In this little known footnote to history, the inimitable Ralph Steadman has created a magnificent tour de force.

Buy Garibaldi's Biscuits online.

Columbine: A True Crime Story

Mr. Steadman has created the cover for Columbine: A True Crime Story, a book about the Colorado School Shootings.

From the Author:

Ten years after Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold killed twelve classmates and a teacher, Columbine remains the world's most iconic school shooting. Columbine: A True Crime Story, a victim, the killers and the nation's search for answers is the first book of investigative journalism to tell the complete story of that day, the far-reaching consequences, and the common denominators among school shooters across the country.

Jeff Kass was one of the first reporters on the scene and has continued to cover the story as a staff writer for Denver's Rocky Mountain News. He has broken national stories on the shootings such as leaked crime scene photos, and the sealed diversion files of the killers. He has also reported the story extensively for the Boston Globe, Christian Science Monitor, Newsday, and U.S. News & World Report.

Learn more (or order) Here and Here.

PLAGUE and the MOONflower

Mr. Steadman has generously donated 50 limited edition prints of his PLAGUE DEMON to Moonflower Productions International

ALL proceeds from the sale of these prints will benefit the first-ever U.S. production of PLAGUE and the MOONflower, the new-century revision of the acclaimed eco-oratorio penned by Mr. Steadman in 1989, with music composed by Richard Harvey.

Presented with the projection of Steadman’s vivid paintings, PLAGUE and the MOONflower illuminates the hapless waste and destruction we fuel with apathy while a sustainable Earth fades from the futures of our children. 

THE TIME IS RIGHT for this new-century revision of PLAGUE and the MOONflower to come to the United States, as the prospect of a dying planet thrusts both despair and inspiration upon us, more and more each day.

Learn More...

GONZO:
THE LIFE AND WORK OF
DR. HUNTER S. THOMPSON

Mr. Steadman and his art are featured prominently in GONZO: THE LIFE AND WORK OF DR. HUNTER S. THOMPSON. From Oscar-winning director Alex Gibney and producer Graydon Carter comes a probing look into the uncanny life of national treasure and gonzo journalism inventor Dr. Hunter S. Thompson. A fast moving, wildly entertaining documentary with an iconic soundtrack, the film addresses the major touchstones in Thompson's life — his intense and ill fated relationship with the Hell's Angels, his near-successful bid for the office of sheriff in Aspen in 1970, the notorious story behind the landmark Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, his deep involvement in Senator George McGovern's 1972 presidential campaign, and much more. Narrated by Johnny Depp.

Find out more here.

GelaSkins

Mr. Steadman's art is now featured on GelaSkins. Gelaskins provide a way to express your style and personality through your iPod, while keeping it protected from scratches and daily abuse.

GelaSkins are very thin (< 2mm), protective iPod covers made with premium grade 3M vinyl and adhesive technology. Patented micro-channels in the adhesive prevent bubbles from forming during application. They are crafted using the same process and materials used in the automotive customization industry. An ultra-clear, scratch resistant, glossy coating is then applied to the GelaSkin for added durability and a photo quality finish.

Find out more here.

The Joke's Over

UK Version (Available 5 OCT 06)

Order From Amazon UK

US Version (Available 2 OCT 06)

Order From Amazon.com

My new book, The JOKE's OVER emerged as a form of therapy after the shock of sudden death following the suicide of my friend of 35 years, Hunter S. Thompson. He always said that he would do it but that does not prepare you for the reality of the brutal act. As I once printed on a brown paper bag in hand set type, damn near 35 years ago, 'I have always known that one day he would take that road, but yesterday I did not know that it would be today'.

But the fat is in the fire and it's a wretched mess. So I set to and wrote myself out from under the shadow left behind. Hunter always hated me to write anything and warned me that it would bring shame on my family. So be it, but that would only be the case if what I wrote was bad. As it turns out I am proud of what I did write and my family need not live in shame. Few people meet someone who has such a significant and fundamental effect on another's life, but Hunter had such an effect on mine, both personally and creatively. Our meeting in 1970 cemented my relationship with America for good or ill, at a time when it's politics were undergoing a cataclysmic and venal change. It absorbed me and satisfied my curiosity in it's monumental opinion of its own worth and uncluttered regard for its self-appointed sense of universal importance, displaying both the lowest and the highest aspirations that any nation can attain. I was hooked and remain so for reasons that are as perverse as they are honorable.

Providing that the fundamental human rights of all peoples of all religions, race and disposition are still on the agenda of things to fight for, irrespective of a current trend to sweep them aside, then I think there is still some purpose to life. My book is in there somewhere providing food for thought and a very personal account of a crazy, wonderful man who thought much about these things too. The book is published on October 6th, 2006, by Heinemann in the United Kingdom and simultaneously in the United States by Harcourt, New York. Read it.

It has been my good fortune to know a great American Writer and one of his country's strongest and perceptive critics, KURT VONNEGUT. I value the generosity of the words he has contributed to my book in his Foreword. I am honored that he is my friend- and funny too!

Stop Smiling

Mr. Steadman was recently featured on the cover of Stop Smiling Magazine. Here's a little teaser:

STEADMAN ON STEADMAN: RALPH STEADMAN

By Sally Vincent

“The Bush administration will hammer Iran and use that as an excuse. Like children. Wham, now see what you made me do. You started it. A whole-world Hiroshima. Easy come, easy go. The planet will reassert itself in a few billion trillion years and what’s a few billion trillion years between drinks?”

You can find out more by clicking here.

Drawing Breath: A Retrospective Whisper from Ralph Steadman

Mr. Steadman's work was on exhibit at the Art Institue of Boston, in beautiful Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Drawing Breath: A Retrospective Whisper from Ralph Steadman ran from January 30 to March 19, 2006.

You can check out the show here.

Untrodden Grapes

Let's face it: If anyone could claim to know wine, it would be Ralph Steadman. The man has tromped through the vineyards, smelled the air and sampled the work of wineries on five continents.

That is why Mr. Steadman is quite pleased to announce the release of his latest book, "Untrodden Grapes." So pleased, in fact, that he's taken to walking about the shores of his sceptred isle with a copy of the book and a rather silly hat, all in the hope that someone — anyone! — will ask him about it.

We'll save you the trouble: Mr. Steadman has followed his previous book on the subject — the award-winning "The Grapes of Ralph" — with another delightful sampling of his work. From California to Chile, from Cabernet to Chardonnay, Mr. Steadman has traveled the world of wine, and he's more than happy to bring you along. His keen eye, sparkling wit and amazing art will make you glad you took the trip.

And don't worry about things getting all wine snobby on you. After all, this is the man who once wrote — and we're taking this dreadfully out of context — "If someone is describing the notes of raspberry, wide swathes of apricot vapours and pomegranate overtones- and they are wearing a suit, then pour your glass of whatever over them and say, ‘Appreciate that!’"

So if you like wine, wonderful writing or absolutely brilliant artwork, we'd suggest that you carry yourselves down to your local bookseller (or Amazon.com) and let them know that you'd like a copy of "Untrodden Grapes." Tell them Ralph sent you, and that he'd like to take off the hat.