Steven Alles
Dick on a Plastic Covered Couch Reading a Newspaper, 2024
Oil on canvas
Canvas: 24 x 24"
Hand-made wood frame: 31 x 31 x 2"

Artist Statement
Portrait of the artist's father circa 1967 relaxing after a day of work. The subject is reading a newspaper sitting on a sofa that has a clear plastic cover over it to protect it from stains as was the decor of the times. His expression is that of being interrupted as someone took his photograph with a flash bulb. This painting is part of a collection of family portraits and interiors that capture the style of the late 20th century.

Bio

Steven J. Alles is a retired infectious disease control public health physician with a masters degree in fine art from Rochester Institute of Technology (1995), now a full-time painter. As the Director of Disease Control for the Department of Public Health, he served the city of Philadelphia by promoting disease prevention, outbreak control, and emergency preparedness and response. Outraged by the current federal administration's attack against the LGBTQ+ community, public health services and the scientific method, Dr. Alles is dedicated to making queer art that tells an authentic story of beauty, survival and progress rooted in the Philadelphia community. He draws on personal experiences and background to showcase struggles and style through a wet instinctive application of paint.

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