Hunter S.Thompson books celebrated in tribute Gonzo art exhibition by Pierce King . Published Wed 13 Nov 2013 12:39

A serious collection of drug frenzied Gonzo inspired artworks have been commissioned as part of a special show paying tribute to Hunter S.Thompson and his collaborator Ralph Steadman.



The group show in Baltimore celebrates the Gonzo reality, an influential style that developed through Ralph Steadman and Hunter S. Thompson (best known for Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.)



In honor of the duo’s groundbreaking relationship, Flying Dog Brewery, in association with Woods Contemporary, presents The Gonzo Collection – re-interpretations and responses to Steadman’s work by some of today’s most notable contemporary artists.



The exhibition curator invited a hand full of artists including Justin Bua, Bob Dob, Nathan Spoor, Aaron Jasinski, Dan May, Michael Page, Nanami Cowdroy, Kukula, Chet Zar, Derek Gores, Heidi Taillefer, Jeff McMillan, Joe Vaux, Lou Pimentel, Tatiana Suarez, Jim Mahfood, Lani Imre, Fang Ling Lee, Sylvia O., Eric Richardson, Liz Brizzi, Michael Williams, Michael Owen, James Merrill, and William Shanklin to create work in the spirit of Steadman and Thompson.



The Collection will be shown in a series of events through the end of October at a pop-up gallery space in Belvedere Square (at 5911 York Road, across from the Senator Theater).



A portion of sales from original art and limited-edition prints will go to The Gonzo Foundation, a charity run by Thompson’s wife Anita.



Wallasey-born Steadman has been the label artist for Flying Dog Brewery since 1995.



In 1990, Thompson introduced Steadman to his good friend and Flying Dog founder George Stranahan in Woody Creek, Colorado, where Flying Dog’s first brewpub was located.



Steadman continues to produce original art in his inimitable style for the Maryland brewery.