Thornton Dial American Artist

A new exhibit recently opened at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Hard Truths: The Art of Thornton Dial. I have already purchased the exhibition catalog. I couldn’t wait. Now I am eager to see Mr. Dial’s art work up close. I will be viewing the exhibit with a curator in the next few weeks. Along with all the excitement this show brings, there is also controversy. It seems that some critics are having a difficult time defining the work of this Black American contemporary artist from the South. Race and politics are often involved in the discussions of Thornton Dial’s work. There are some critics who will not include him in the “fine” art world but want to define Thornton Dial’s work as “folk-art” or “self-taught art”.

From what I have read, Mr. Dial’s work mostly includes significant social and cultural concerns. The work is exciting and inspiring. Like many other contemporary artists today he makes good use of found objects. One of my favorite pieces of art work by Thornton Dial is “Who Got the Corn?” Like most of his work, this piece is large. It is a canvas on wood covered with wire, found metal, and chicken wire. This work has been spray painted in shades of yellow.

I’m looking forward to learning more about Thornton Dial, American artist, and viewing the exhibition. I'm not sure that I care how the critics define his work. I do believe that most viewers will be moved by Thornton Dial's extraordinary art.


www.nellasbooksandcollectibles.ecrater.com