This biography from the Archives of AskART:
|  Ralph Berg, Jr. was born in Great Falls on October 18th, 1940.
While he was growing up, he acquired the nickname “Tuffy” after several
bouts with his sisters and cousins, and the name stayed with him
throughout his life. He attended local schools, working as a teen
for Great Falls Sporting Goods, and graduated in 1958. Though his
experiences growing up were focused on the outdoors rather than art,
they prepared him well for his later creative works.
After service in the U.S. Marine Corps, he worked for many years as a
hunting guide and taxidermist, eventually opening the Montana Taxidermy
Shop in Great Falls. Aside from the outdoors and wildlife, his
other avid interest was “that damn’d ol’ rodeo.” He loved to
challenge the broncs, but was injured several times.
While convalescing after a particularly bad injury from a rodeo in
Belt, he discovered the work of a local artist, Earle Heikka [see
AskART], and was hooked. He began sculpting in 1972 as a hobby,
and became a fixture at the annual C.M. Russell Auction of Original
Western Art, receiving five People’s Choice Awards over the years. When
he was commissioned by The Franklin Mint and Royal Cornwall Ltd. for
several commemorative works, his work received national recognition.
Unfortunately, his career and his life were all too short; he died from
cancer at the age of 50 on March 15, 1991. His funeral was held
at the C.M. Russell Museum, an unprecedented event, and was widely
attended by friends, family, and members of the art community.
Despite his untimely death, Tuffy’s tradition lives on thanks to the
efforts of his widow, Joyce, who was instrumental in establishing the
Ralph “Tuffy” Berg Award, which recognizes new, up-and-coming artists
at the C.M. Russell Auction of Original Western Art each year.
Submitted by M.D. Silverbrooke
Source:
BOI's of New Hope Art Gallery – boisofnewhope@verizon.net | |
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