Ralph Steadman’s exclusive Big Issue cover shows “the state we’re in”

Internationally acclaimed Gonzo artist Ralph Steadman has collaborated with The Big Issue to create an exclusive front cover for the magazine summing up the tumultuous political times we live in – and you can win a print of the iconic cover!

Out now, this week's edition, with an incredible cover created by @SteadmanArt . To win a limited edition print of this artwork post a selfie holding the mag you've bought with #borisbigissuepic.twitter.com/IK6afzssXl

— Big Issue (@BigIssue) September 16, 2019

For 60 years, Ralph Steadman has used his pen as a weapon against those who abuse the power they hold.

His latest, brilliant work is on show exclusively on the front of this week’s Big Issue magazine, out today – an iconic piece of art that articulates the cry of the nation for Boris Johnson and other politicians to listen to the concerns of the people.

The collaboration also includes Beau Kerouac, a conceptual artist and provocateur, who has worked with Steadman on several other projects.

“I thought I would change the world – and in fact, all these years later, I have changed the world. It’s worse than it was when I started,” said Steadman. “There are so many different people trying to help the homeless, but as they help those homeless, more and more homeless come along.”

Steadman’s work is something to behold and we have a host of ways for you to own some.

You can get one of only 50 signed limited-edition prints of this cover. To win it, simply post a photo of you holding the cover on Twitter or Instagram – @bigissue or @bigissueuk – with the hashtag #BorisBigIssue.

If you don’t win, don’t worry. The Big Issue Shop is carrying the print on a t-shirt while Steadman has also created two more bespoke t-shirt designs alongside mugs and other items, depicting the unending and unresolved issue of homelessness. Get yours here .

Paul McNamee, The Big Issue editor, said: “For almost two generations, Ralph Steadman has been an agent provocateur of political satire. With a few flicks of his sharpened pen he can create an image that sums up the state we’re in. Since the days of Nixon, through to now, he’s been an uncompromising voice. And we’re over the moon that in this febrile, politically explosive time he has delivered another stinging comment exclusively to The Big Issue. It’s brilliant.”

Get your copy of the magazine from vendors or The Big Issue Shop now and also watch bonus AR time-lapse footage of Steadman himself hard at work creating the cover.