Richard Red Owl

Richard “Rich” Red Owl was born in 1940 on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota and was an enrolled member of the Oglala Lakota Tribe. A self-taught artist, Red Owl valued discovery through personal exploration rather than formal instruction.

Throughout his career, he drew inspiration from Oscar Howe, Hobart Keith, and Charles Russell. He explored a range of styles, including Cubism, Realism, and Abstract Expression, ultimately favoring acrylics on canvas for their ability to capture the warmth and vibrancy of the Lakota Sioux people.

Red Owl’s work is represented in both private and public collections across the country. A regular participant in the annual Red Cloud Art Show in Pine Ridge, he received numerous honors, including the Best Depiction Award in 1993 and the prestigious Oscar Howe Award in 1994. In the late 1960s, he helped establish the Oglala Sioux Artists Association and later the Dreamcatchers Society, advancing opportunities for Native artists.

Rich Red Owl passed away on August 21, 2025. His legacy endures through his art, which continues to honor and share the stories of his people.