A fine artist and graphic designer, Anthony Dortch's realm is one of precision and grace. Do not allow the lovely colors and silken textures to distract you. Take care not to be taken in by the golden flesh and blue body's charms. Dortch does not create pretty pictures, he constructs a meaningful experience. Layers upon layers of seductive details, revealing societies clandestine verity. When standing before his pieces, one cannot help but feel, imagine, and reflect. Cleverly wrapped in bold and daring colors are elegant motifs whispering of struggle and hope. Veins of beauty and yearning reach out to captivate, to beg questions of ourselves, and break down the facades of our seemingly structured world.

Anthony Dortch grew up in Ohio, fascinated by art's great masters, and with his nose pressed in his favorite comic books. His young mind was shaped with a buildup of brush strokes and story lines that are echoed in his present artworks. At The Colorado Springs School, under tutelage of Judy Campbell, Dortch honed his classic roots in canvas and paint. Later he moved on to study Graphic Design at Savannah College of Art & Design, GA. He also received a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy with a focus in Art Education/Psychology and Art at Miami University, MA, and at Oxford, OH.

When asked about the meaning behind his latest series, Dortch answers:

"'The Privilege Series' illustrates what it means to be socially and financially above others. The underclass perpetuates the myth that achievement is possible for some, not all. Status becomes privilege and equates with money—new or old. The upper crust of such a society relies on minions, dropouts, and lower classes to get the distasteful and unworthy jobs done. Socialism and capitalism clash. This series brings to form in words, paint, photo, and ink the unspoken challenge we'd rather not hear - in pictures we'd rather not see."

"The Privileged Series: Pests" is on display at Touchstone Gallery now:

October 2-27, 2013

Please join us for a special evening of Performance Art:

Sunday, October 26, 6-8:30 PM