Grogan by Steadman

GONZO CARICATURE: This portrait of Africartoonist Tony GROGAN was drawn by legendary British cartoonist RALPH STEADMAN. Best known, perhaps, for his adventures and work with Gonzo journalist Hunter S Thomson, Steadman is also recognised for his brilliant work beyond that association. As the caption "Drawn in Malawian Nose Ink and Welsh Spit" might suggest, Steadman scribbled the caricature in Malawi using a simple ballpoint pen, the nib of which he decapitated with his teeth to create the splatter effect in ink and spit!

If Gonzo journalism is characterised by its use of "personal experiences and emotions to provide context for the topic or event being covered", favouring a gritty approach over an edited polished one, then Steadman must be regarded as the foremost Gonzo cartoonist. Besides his influence on the work of Grogan, Steadman also influenced the work of South African cartoonists DEREK BAUER, CHIP and early ZAPIRO.