"The Gonzo Collection" Tribute to Ralph Steadman

Showcase begins May 2013: Baltimore, DC, Philadelphia, NYC

Featuring Originals and Limited Edition Prints from

Justin Bua, Bob Dob, Nathan Spoor, Aaron Jasinski, Dan May, Michael Page, Nanami Cowdroy, Kukula, Chet Zar, Derek Gores, Ben Tour, Heidi Taillefer, Jason Limon, Jeff McMillan, Joe Vaux, Lou Pimentel, Tatiana Suarez, Jim Mahfood, Kevin Peterson, Lani Imre, Fang Ling Lee, Sylvia O., Eric Richardson, Ti Kunkit, Liz Brizzi, Michael Williams, Michael Owen, James Merrill

The Gonzo Collection: What is it?

The worlds of journalism and visual art have always been inextricably linked. Nowhere is that link more apparent than in the collaboration of writer Hunter S. Thompson and artist Ralph Steadman. The aesthetic that Hunter created through the written word was matched perfectly by the unique visual stylings of Steadman. Their work documented the revolutionary life and times of Dr. Gonzo and has created a genre in its aftermath.

Flying Dog, in association with TAG Galleries, challenged 30 leading contemporary artists to respond to or reinterpret the Gonzo artwork of Ralph Steadman. The tribute paintings will be shown at several events in Washington DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York. These multimedia entertainment driven events will celebrate 75 Years of Dr. Gonzo. The original art pieces along with a series of limited edition prints will be sold during the course of the shows and a portion of the proceeds will benefit The Gonzo Foundation, a charity run by Hunter S. Thompson’s wife Anita Thompson.

TAG Galleries has been supporting the contemporary art scene since 2007. Their mission is to connect today’s leading and emerging artists with larger audiences by producing and marketing artworks, high quality art prints, apparel, and other art products with price points to reach customers of all income levels. TAG Galleries’ vision is for art and the creative process to be accessible to everyone in order to empower individuals to improve their lives and communities through an engaged and creative lifestyle. 

The Gonzo Foundation is a non-prot organization founded by Hunter’s wife Anita and was created to promote literature, journalism and political activism through the legacy of Hunter S. Thompson. 

                                                                  Flying Dog and Dr. Gonzo

"The Edge... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over.” - “Buy the ticket, take the ride.” - Hunter S. Thompson

The outlaw journalist Hunter S. Thompson moved into Owl Farm, his “fortied compound” in Woody Creek,Colorado, in 1969. Owl Farm was just down the mountain from Flying Dog founder George Stranahan’s Flying Dog Ranch and they became close friends. Their shared interests included explosives, high-powered weapons, politics, football, whiskey, and beer. Most of Hunter’s works were illustrated by British artist Ralph Steadman, beginning with “The Kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved” in 1970 for (the now defunct) “Scalan’s Monthly”. Their best known collaboration is “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.” Hunter introduced George to Ralph, who then began doing original art for Flying Dog’s labels in 1996. Ralph’s first art was for Road Dog Porter.

Hunter wrote an essay, “Ale According to Hunter,” for Flying Dog to celebrate the launch of Road Dog: “Alehas long been the drink of thugs, convicts, rowdies, rakes and other depraved outlaws who thrive on thequick bursts of night-energy that ale brings. In the 17th century England gangs of ale-crazed fops wouldoften ght to the death in all-night brawls on public greenswards, which terrified the citizenry and left many of the infamous ‘youngblood horseman’ chopped up with grievous sword and dagger wounds… These were the Wild Boys of Olde English story and song, rich sots on horseback who amused themselves in London by riding out at night, ripped to the tits on strong ale, and ‘popped old ladies into empty booze-barrels and rolled them down steep, cobblestone hills with crazy screams and shouts.’ If you must roll old ladies down hills and you don't want to pay the bills, try to be nice and clean off their lice with a powerful Road Dog Ale.”Hunter also wrote a toast for the launch of Road Dog to go along with his essay: “There is an ancient Celtic axiom that says ‘Good People Drink Good Beer.’ Which is true, then as now. Just look around you in any public bar room and you will quickly see: Bad People Drink Bad Beer. Think about it.”Hunter died in 2005. Godspeed, Hunter, wherever you are!

Links:

www.RalphSteadman.com          

www.FlyingDogBrewery.com         

www.TAGgalleries.com

Preview Sign-Up

Please email us at info@TAGgalleries.com with the email header "Gonzo" to be added to our exclusive preview list for the Original Pieces coming in March 2013 and first updates on showcase events and print releases for the Gonzo Collection. Thanks!