In this house in the summer of 1971, the artist Ralph Steadman (1936 - 2036) poured his soul out onto paper to liberate the evil demons from a manuscript by Hunter S. Thompson, entitled 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: a savage journey into the heart of the American dream'.
{Around the 'Gonzo Fist' symbol of two thumbs and four fingers holding a peyote button (cactus):} Res Ipsa Loquitor
Morganic. com
Gonzo Heritage Society
This is a very complicated plaque, full of esoteric references. The future 'death date' of Steadman, (who, March 2025 is still alive) is reminiscent of the spoof plaques for the time-travelling Jacob von Hogflume which appear occasionally in Britain and abroad.
The Latin phrase 'Res Ipsa Loquitor' (which translates as 'the thing speaks for itself'), is explained in Wikipedia, but we are none the wiser as to its connection with Steadman. Morganic.com is the website of musician Wayne Morgan, who again, has no apparent connection with the artist. 'Gonzo' refers to a style of journalism popularised by Hunter S. Thompson, which is written without claims of objectivity. We cannot however find any reference to its Heritage Society.
Wikimedia has an explanation: "A somewhat tongue-in-cheek memorial to the (at the time of writing, very much alive) Welsh illustrator Ralph Steadman, which was an art project by 'morganico.com'. The address is genuine - Steadman's illustrations for Hunter S. Thompson's book 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' were created on the first floor on 103 New King's Road."
Site: Ralph Steadman (1 memorial)
SW6, New King's Road, 103
Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of plaquesoflondon.co.uk
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