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When Ceri Levy asked Ralph Steadman to produce one piece of art representing an extinct bird for a recent exhibition, Ghosts of Gone Birds, Ralph said 'yes'. Then 'yes' again ... and again ... and again.brbrAn astonishing 100 paintings later, iExtinct Boidsi was born.brbrRalph got carried away by the birds, taking Ceri with him ... this book details the discoveries they made on their travels through the savage seas of extinction. After stumbling on the previously hidden Toadstool Island,brwhere the extinct birds of the world live on in secretive harmony, the duo spent nearly a year in close proximitybrto a host of fantastical avian creatures. brbrRalph documents th all in this series of rarkable paintings, featuring unique interpretations of well-knownbrbirds such as the Great Auk, Passenger Pigeon and Dodo, along with less familiar mbers of the feathersome firmament - Snail-eating Coua, for example, or the Red-moustached Fruit Dove - and a variety of bizarre beasts including the Gob Swallow, the Long-legged Shortwing and the Needless Smut. All are captured in a riot of expression and colour, with a slice of tradark Steadman humour.brbrBased on ails, diary entries and phone conversations, Ceri's accompanying text provides a running commentary, detailing the unfolding madness behind the creation of each piece in Ralph's extraordinary work. Things got tough as the pair discovered just how many amazing birds have been lost from our world forever.brbr"But," as Ralph said "it did, after all, make a nice change from drawing politicians".brbrBloomsbury is proud to publish this unique title.

Extinct Boids

  • Ralph Steadman and Ceri Levy

    Cartoonist and national treasure Ralph Steadman's unique take on a variety of extinct birds ...
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  • Book Details

    Imprint: A&C Black brPublication date: 25102012 brFormat: 350 x 245 mm | 240 pages
  • About the Author

    Ralph Steadmanb was born in 1936. He began his career as a cartoonist, and through the years has diversified into many creative fields. Ralph collaborated with Dr Hunter S. Thompson in the birth of 'gonzo' journalism, with iFear and Loathing in Las Vegasi; he has illustrated classics such as iAlice in Wonderlandi, iTreasure Islandi and iAnimal Farm, iand written and illustrated his own books, which include iSigmund Freudi, iI Leonardoi and iThe Big I Ami. Steadman is also a printmaker, and has travelled the world's vineyards, culminating in his books iThe Grapes of Ralphi, iUntrodden Grapesi and iStill Life with Bottle.i br br Ceri Levy bis a film-maker, who started out making music videos before moving into the world of documentaries. His works include iBananazi, a film about the inner machinations of the group Gorillaz, and the forthcoming iThe Bird Effecti; he is also co-curator of iGhosts of Gone Birdsi, and therefore a crucial cog in the boids' creation myth.

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