By Tamara Shiloh
Thornton Dial, a pioneering American artist, left an indelible mark on the art world with his expressive and monumental works. Born September 10, 1928 in Emelle, Alabama, Dial’s artistic journey began in the late 1980s when he became known for his assemblages of found materials, executed on a large scale. His works cover a wide range of topics, from human rights to natural disasters and current events, reflecting a deep engagement with history and social issues.
Growing up poor on a former cotton plantation, Dial was raised by his teenage mother, Mattie Bell. It was time spent with his first cousin, Buddy Jake Dial, a farmer and sculptor, that ignited his passion for art. Dial’s early experiences observing art created from everyday objects in people’s yards upon moving to Bessemer, Alabama, fascinated him and instilled in him a deep appreciation of craftsmanship and of creativity.
For many years, Dial worked as a metalworker at the Pullman Standard factory in Bessemer, Alabama, until it closed in 1981. It was after this that he devoted himself to his art, creating works for his own pleasure and personal expression.
He met Lonnie Holley, an artist who introduced Dial to Atlanta collector and art historian William Arnett. Arnett played a pivotal role in bringing Dial’s work to national attention, alongside other African American vernacular artists, through his efforts as an art historian and founder of the Souls Grown Foundation Deep.
Dial’s work has been recognized at major cultural institutions and exhibitions, including the Whitney Biennial in 2000. His art resonated with viewers, addressing American sociopolitical issues such as war, racism, bigotry and ‘roaming.
Through his assemblages, Dial has incorporated a wide range of found materials, creating layered and textured compositions. His use of objects like bones, rope, and scrap metal added depth and symbolism to his works, reflecting the history and struggles of the rural South.
The tiger motif became an important symbol in Dial’s art, representing survival and the fight for civil rights in the United States. Over time, Dial’s work began to be recognized as “powerful, first-rate art” by critics such as Karen Wilkin of the Wall Street Journal. Dial’s unique artistic vision and ability to fuse materials into captivating and meaningful compositions have led to his recognition as a contemporary artist.
Dial’s work can be found in notable collections around the world, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where ten of his works were acquired in 2014. He died in 2016, but his legacy lives on, inspiring artists and viewers to explore the transformative power of art.
Thornton Dial’s contributions to the art world, his commitment to expressing social issues, and his ability to create captivating compositions from found materials cement his position as a visionary artist ahead of his time.
Source: https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/dial-thornton-1928-2016/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thornton_Dial
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By copyright Jerry Siegel – Original publication: Garden & GunImmediate source: http://gardenandgun.com/article/thornton-dial, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49514861
