On a chance meeting many years ago, the Williamson’s Principal Museums Officer Colin Simpson was offered the opportunity to a very large painting by the Wallasey born artist, Ralph Steadman. Now in their special 90th anniversary year, the Williamson are finally able to showcase this immense painting alongside recent limited edition giclee prints from his latest publication “Critical Critters” and other works from his archive.
Steadman became widely known when he illustrated Hunter S. Thompson’s novel “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas”. Ralph went on to provide artwork for publications including collections of poetry by Ted Hughes, “Alice in Wonderland” and George Orwell’s “Animal Farm”.
In the UK, he is perhaps best known for his iconic branding for wine retailers Oddbins. The enormous painting which we be exhibited was originally commissioned for the Oddbins Headquarters. This work has never previously been shown publicly.
Many of the limited edition giclee prints will be available to purchase.
The galleries are open from Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm, but staff shortages may necessitate early closure of some rooms at the end of the day.