Sculptor Tony Chytka: Merging Love for Rodeo and Art for Over 40 Years

According to KOTA, local sculptor Tony Chytka has showcased his bronze sculptures at the Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo for over 40 years. Having initially competed in rodeos in the late 1970s, he blends his passion for art and rodeo culture, creating intricate works that tell stories of cowboy life. Chytka’s interest in sculpting began in high school, where he discovered a love for clay.

Capturing the Rodeo Spirit
The Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo showcases a vibrant array of attractions, from livestock to dynamic sculptures that embody the spirit of the event. Local sculptor Tony Chytka has engaged with this rodeo culture for over four decades, seamlessly merging his artistic passion with his roots in rodeo as a former contestant in the late 1970s.

A Lifelong Artistic Journey
Tony Chytka has spent more than 40 years displaying his bronze sculptures at the rodeo, celebrating themes of cattle, buffalo, and cowboys. His involvement with a rodeo art group has propelled him to exhibit his works at prestigious shows in Las Vegas, enriching the artistic essence of the rodeo experience.

The Artistic Process
“I like the action; I do like the detail, and I like it to kind of tell a story and just try to put it all together and see if you can make things work,” said Chytka, describing his love for capturing the rodeo’s essence in his sculptures. The inspiration to sculpt bronze figures came during his high school art classes, particularly when he encountered clay sculpting in his senior year.

Tony Chytka embodies the fusion of rodeo culture and artistic expression, having contributed over four decades of captivating bronze sculptures to the Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo. His passion for art, coupled with his rodeo experiences, allows him to create pieces that tell powerful stories of the cowboy lifestyle, continuously engaging audiences through his artistic journey.

Original Source: www.kotatv.com