South Dakota Arts Council

South Dakota Arts Council

Pierre, SD

The SDAC is a state government grantmaking agency supported by the State of South Dakota, through the Dept. of Tourism, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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Nebuchadnezzar by Ray Tysdal Image: “Wildlife provides us with a visual exercise in light and shade. Using high-speed film and experimental dark room techniques, the animal was isolated from its natural habitat and surrounded with pure black. This allows the viewer to examine the rich texture of physical characteristics as well as personality. Although not native to South Dakota, the mountain goat has become a fixture in the rugged terrain of the southern Black Hills. This billy posed behind Mt. Rushmore with the confidence of the king of the realm.”
“Wildlife provides us with a visual exercise in light and shade. Using high-speed film and experimental dark room techniques, the animal was isolated from its natural habitat and surrounded with pure black. This allows the viewer to examine the rich texture of physical characteristics as well as personality. Although not native to South Dakota, the mountain goat has become a fixture in the rugged terrain of the southern Black Hills. This billy posed behind Mt. Rushmore with the confidence of the king of the realm.”
Nebuchadnezzar by Ray Tysdal Image: “Wildlife provides us with a visual exercise in light and shade. Using high-speed film and experimental dark room techniques, the animal was isolated from its natural habitat and surrounded with pure black. This allows the viewer to examine the rich texture of physical characteristics as well as personality. Although not native to South Dakota, the mountain goat has become a fixture in the rugged terrain of the southern Black Hills. This billy posed behind Mt. Rushmore with the confidence of the king of the realm.”
  • Ray Tysdal
  • Nebuchadnezzar, 1999
  • Selenium-toned gelatin silver print
  • Framed: 22 x 28 in (55.88 x 71.12 cm)

Collection: Art For State Buildings x

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Although born in Nebraska, Ray Tysdal has lived and photographed in the Black Hills for decades. Despite his degrees in journalism and secondary education, he has spent more time working as a gold miner, farmer, and sheep ranch hand. He also spent time working on the first federally sponsored irrigation project in the United States as a ditch rider, watermaster, and dam tender. A lifetime of hiking, fishing, hunting, farming, and livestock handling has given Ray an understanding and appreciation of the visual richness of his environment.

Other Work From South Dakota Arts Council

Aconite by Jordan Thornton
Majestic Cottonwood by Kat Thompson
Parable of a Fallen Ash by Chad Nelson and Lindsay Twa
The Old Statesman by Dwayne Wilcox
Pasque Field by Jordan Thornton
Prairie Edge by Judy Thompson
No Fences by Kat Thompson
Evening's Edge by Lynn Thorpe
Egg Money by Tim Vogl
Repose by Ray Tysdal
See all artwork from South Dakota Arts Council