Oregon artist Jay Backstrand was widely respected for his powerful and enigmatic paintings. Known for his ability to juxtapose seemingly disparate elements—such as contemporary iconographies alongside art historical references or ambiguously cropped archaic symbols—his work was a unique blend of stylistic and intellectual influences. This deft sampling from a wide range of contexts made his art compelling, encouraging repeated engagement and often leaving viewers with more questions than answers.
Backstrand studied at the Pacific Northwest College of Art and the Slade School of Fine Art at the University of London, where he was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship. He taught at the Pacific Northwest College of Art from 1975 to 1986 and was honored with a major 10-year retrospective at Marylhurst College in Oregon. Additionally, in the 1970s, Backstrand was a co-founder of the Portland Center for Visual Arts. Over the course of his career, Backstrand received numerous awards and his work was included in prestigious collections such as the National Gallery in Washington, D.C., the Oxford University Press Print Collection in England, and the Portland, Seattle, Tacoma, and Denver Art Museums.
His legacy continues to resonate through his contributions to the Oregon's arts community, and his work remains an important part of contemporary art history in the Pacific Northwest.