About

Ashley Gantz, PhD is a multidisciplinary artist, photographer, poet, and author with a Doctorate of Philosophy in Humanities, concentrating in English Literature. Based in Canton, Ohio, she combines her academic background with her creative practice to explore themes of romanticism, the gothic, identity, nature, and beauty. Her work, spanning abstract painting, photography, fiber, and mixed media, delves into the visceral and philosophical dimensions of human experience.

In addition to her artistic pursuits, Ashley is the Director of Business Development for a local nonprofit agency, where she brings creativity and strategic thinking to community-focused initiatives. Her unique perspective as both an artist and a leader enriches her contributions to the arts and her local community.

My art exists at the intersection of emotion, intellect, and materiality. Through abstract painting, photography, fiber, and mixed media, I craft works that are both visceral and meditative, inviting viewers to engage with the complexities of what it means to be human.

Informed by my background in the humanities and philosophy, my practice is a dialogue between thought and feeling, reason and intuition. I am fascinated by the contrasts that define existence: light and shadow, fragility and resilience, chaos and harmony. Whether layering textiles or capturing fleeting moments through a lens, I strive to create pieces that evoke both introspection and wonder.

As a native of Canton, Ohio, my work is subtly shaped by the duality of my surroundings—the rugged industrial history of the city and the quiet, enduring beauty of its natural landscapes. This tension between the constructed and the organic reflects the broader human condition, a central theme in my work.