Robert Williams b. 1943 began his art career as a hot rod and underground comics illustrator working with Ed – Big Daddy – ‘Ratfink’ – Roth.
He became well known for the contributions that he made to Zap and other underground comics during the late sixties, and his books Zombie Mystery Paintings, Visual Addiction, and Twisted Libido have all become cult classics.
He soon made his mark and lasting identification as a psychedelic icon painting the grotesque, sleazy , hallucinogenic perception of the world with a touch of cartoony humor.
His work “Death On The Boards” 1992 depicting the tragic Los Angeles Speedway board track accidents of Nov 25 1920 is a favorite and pulls together all his elements of style and social commentary.
I recently discovered what I believe could very well have given him inspiration for his own work, a 1910 painting by architect turned painter, Albert Levering b. 1869. “And The Prize Is death”
Death on the Boards - Robert Williams 1992
https://www.flickr.c...57649426145416/
"And The Prize Is Death" 1910 Levering, Albert
https://www.flickr.c...57649426145416/