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.

Message
They Call the Thing Rodeo by Ronald Backer Image: “This contemporary rodeo scene is historical only to the extent that toward the end of the 1880s the cowboys needed some way to show off their skills. The contest of riding, roping, and cow throwing became sources of local entertainment. The stories of my elders, and past events and scenes in the land of my birth, challenged my imagination to paint my visual conceptions of them. I sought the events that would provide an insight into South Dakota’s involvement and contribution to our nation’s pioneering spirit.”
“This contemporary rodeo scene is historical only to the extent that toward the end of the 1880s the cowboys needed some way to show off their skills. The contest of riding, roping, and cow throwing became sources of local entertainment. The stories of my elders, and past events and scenes in the land of my birth, challenged my imagination to paint my visual conceptions of them. I sought the events that would provide an insight into South Dakota’s involvement and contribution to our nation’s pioneering spirit.”
They Call the Thing Rodeo by Ronald Backer
  • Ronald Backer
  • They Call the Thing Rodeo, 1988
  • Oil paint on linen
  • Framed: 26.5 x 41.5 in (67.31 x 105.41 cm)

Collection: Art For State Buildings x

Prev
Next

Ronald Backer grew up on a farm in southeastern South Dakota and attended the Fred Archer School of Photography in Los Angeles. To support his young family, Ron set art aside and went to work at NASA as a purchasing officer. Upon retiring, Ron started taking art classes and attending workshops. After visiting the Spirit Mound, a prominent landmark on the Lewis and Clark expedition, Ron found direction as an artist. By reliving the exciting events and scenes of our past, he hopes to leave for our future generations an appreciation of our historical legacy. In 1996, Ron was inducted as the “Artist of the Year” in the South Dakota Hall of Fame.

Other Work From South Dakota Arts Council

Buffaloed by Angela Behrends
Fancy Camping Series, Country Nights #2 by Ariadne Albright
Badlands #10 by Michael Baum
Homage to a Treasure and its Maker by Arthur Amiotte
1.2 Gigawatts by Kevin Aker
Contemporary Dancer by Randall Blaze
Lonely Highway by Kevin Aker
Ginko Spring by Grete Bodøgaard
Tree Pair by Steve Babbitt
Untitled Triptych by Robert Aldern
See all artwork from South Dakota Arts Council