E X H I B I T
Tony Dotson
Discover the private art collection of self-taught Cincinnati artist Tony Dotson. This impressive collection not only includes Dotson’s personal work, but work by several Folk and Outsider artists including Michael “Catfish Man” Suter, Courttney Cooper, and Edward Goss among many others.
Tony Dotson Monumental Assemblage of King Kong on Empire State Building
Pride Creations "Popsie" Wooden Figures, circa 1960s
Michael “Catfish Man” Suter Folk Art Acrylic Painting, Late 20th Century
Tony Dotson Folk Art Sculpture "Motivational Speaker," 2017
Tony Dotson began creating art in 2002 after being inspired by the celebrated folk artist Mose Tolliver, whose work he collected. Before exploring his own artistic talent Dotson spent fiftee years working in the music industry, managing popular Cincinnati venues such as Bogart’s, Taft Theatre, Riverbend, and Jammin On Main. Over time Dotson began working full-time as a self-taught artist and has become one of the most highly sought after living artists in Cincinnati, often selling his work directly via social media. Following some of Mose Tolliver’s techniques, Dotson typically works with house paint on wood, but also creates mixed media compositions and assemblages with reused materials such as vintage toys, stuffed animals, and prints, due to his interest in sustainability. Describing himself as a giant kid, Dotson also enjoys creating art with his kids and children in orphanages. Some recurring themes in his work include Batman, Bigfoot, and King Kong among other iconic characters. In addition to Mose Tolliver, Keith Haring is among Dotson’s artistic influences, visible in his use of dark black outlines and his Batman themes, which was a particular motif Dotson viewed in one of Haring’s works. Other influences include R.A. Miller, Gus Fink, and Edward Goss, whose work he also collects.
Throughout his artistic career, Dotson has exhibited his work in over 100 shows in several states including New York, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Nevada. His work can be found in private collections throughout the world. In a significant moment and exciting artistic opportunity, Dotson was able to collaborate on a piece with Mose Tolliver and his sister Annie Tolliver within the last days of Mose Tolliver’s life. Dotson is currently working on a children’s book and continues to work with the non-profit gallery and studio Visionaries + Voices, where he has collaborated since the organization first opened.
