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The American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center is honored to present:
Ralph Steadman: A Retrospective
Ralph STEADman cannot be summed up. Not in a few sentences or in this USA Retrospective exhibition which features a selection of original artworks and prints from the past 65 years of Steadman's career. The depth and breadth of Ralph's contributions to the world are immense and his prolific art-making practice twists, turns, and jostles while taking us on a white-knuckle ride. STEADman brings to light the absurdity of societal norms and protests the status quo. With a sardonic eye, splashes of ink, and the whip of his pen, Ralph Steadman turns towards the viewer; he asks us to do better, be wary of propaganda, and to be better. In a time of division and suppression, Washington, DC could use STEADman's pointed truth.
Ralph Steadman: A Retrospective was originally curated by Anita O'Brien at the Cartoon Museum, London, in 2013 to mark Ralph's 77th Birthday. Later, the art traveled to The Artworks in Halifax, England (2014), and soon after the Retrospective was reorganized to travel throughout the USA by Sadie Williams, Ralph STEADman Art Collection Executive Director. The organization of this tour was realized through her passion and the generous support of our sponsors and friends.
The USA Retrospective was first presented in the Big Apple, New York City, at the Society of Illustrators (2016) where it received rave reviews. The American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center in Washington DC is our current presenting venue. From the American University Museum the Retrospective will travel to the unbridled state of Kentucky to the University of Kentucky Art Museum in Lexington (also home of the Kentucky Derby), then on to the majestic Northwest to the Jordan Schnitzer Art Museum at the University of Oregon, Eugene, and onward until Fall 2020 when the Retrospective will travel home to England.
We would like to thank our amazing collaborators and presenting partners at the American University Museum, Jack Rasmussen, Director & Curator and Steadman fan, Kristi-Anne Shear, Associate Director and guiding force, Kevin Runyon, Preparator and Steadman fan (who encouraged AU to host this exhibition), Rebecca Basu and Elizabeth Cowgill, museum marketing and public relations, for their help with the artist talk and so much more.
None of these exhibitions would be possible without the unerring support and belief of our sponsors and friends at United Therapeutics, Flying Dog Brewery, and Audible. Special thanks go out to Martine Rothblatt CEO, Bill Rock, Creative Director, and Paul Mahon, GC at United Therapeutics. Also, cheers and many thanks to Jim Caruso, CEO, Meghan Hessler, and Erin Weston at Flying Dog Brewery and bravo (with applause sound) to Don Katz CEO, Katja Lindemann, Chelsea Adams, Chris Harris, Kari Helgason, and Michael Epstein at Audible. Special thanks to actor and friend Tim Robbins for his contribution to the Audible exhibition tour and thank you to Andrea Harris, Ralph STEADman Art Collection Exhibition Coordinator for all of her efforts towards realizing this USA Retrospective tour. Finally and most importantly, thank you Ralph for your generosity, sharp wit and unrelenting courage. We appreciate you taking us on this ride of a lifetime. |