Two Vietnam veteran artists featured in DSU gallery

October 22, 2024

Dakota State University’s First Bank & Trust Art Gallery is featuring an exhibition of two former Vietnam combat artists through Monday, Nov. 25.

The joint exhibition, sponsored through the College of Arts & Sciences, features the work of Stephan Randall and James Pollock. Called “Sketch then Paint,” the show includes some of their plein air paintings, which refers to the act of painting outdoors with the artist’s subject in full view.

“As artists, Steve Randall and I have a special bond that goes beyond marks on paper or canvas,” said James Pollock, referring to their military service in the 1960s.

“During the Vietnam War, the U.S. Army sent Combat Art Teams (CAT) to Vietnam to record their impressions of military activities.” He said,  “We didn’t know each other during our soldier art days, but after Vietnam, we became friends through a shared interest in painting on location.”

Pollock was a combat artist in Vietnam in 1967 who now completes plein-air pieces and small intuitive, abstract sketches.

“I challenge viewers of my art to make up their own titles and create their own content,” Pollock said.

Stephan Randall was a combat artist in Vietnam in 1968 and is passionate about plein-air painting. His subjects are often South Dakota landmarks like the Corn Palace, but also lesser-known places along the Missouri River and Spearfish Canyon.

“I paint what I see – in the impressionist style – to capture the significance of a subject in its natural light and context,” Randall said.  

The exhibition is open to the public during the Karl Mundt Library’s regular business hours.