Thornton Dial: The Black Autodidact Whose Art Revolutionized the Art Industry

Arts by Thornton Dial was a black man who worked in Alabama factories for many years.  Always creative with found, thrown away materials, he began to make sculpture and paintings. These were filled with messages about race, poverty, and the hardships of the common man.  Thornton Dial’s art  wasfar from being ornate or refined; instead it was crude, authentic and sensational.

Born in Alabama, Dial was not your conventional artist. He did not attend an art college or paint in a posh art studio. His workshop was his backyard and his material? Junk! He was such a creative person; he used any material he found: old tires, rusty metal pieces, parts of fabric, and old yard furniture.

Dial’s path from a textile mill employee to railroad worker to a star artist is simply wonderful. This he did despite the fact that he had no professional training. But he did not tire of making art that was a testament to identity politics for his people- the oppressed. His work focused on such important themes as racism, poverty and the Vietnam War, making that provided a striking insight of Southern life in the U. S.

What is perhaps the most noticeable in Dial’s art is just how inventive it is. He did not feel comfortable conforming to norms and standards and expectations and instead, he went against the grain. His assemblages sometimes are composed of many structures rising high and therefore seems to be one of the most imaginative and resourceful artists. His works were sculptures; recycled items were incorporated in his pieces such as defunct car parts, toys or chicken wire.  Bondo was smeared on large surfaces and painted to created massive texture statements.

But, the art he wanted to present to the public wasn’t just beauty; it was message bearing. His main concern would be to tell the suppressed, unheard stories and make an audience aware of the wrongs going on in society. His work wasn’t only lovely, but significant. It was a strong social message that made the audience think about some issues they may not usually face.

Thornton Dial did not produce art until he reached the age of fifty!  But once he started, the people could not contain him any longer. His work rose in fame and soon he was showcasing in exhibitions of prominent museums across the nation. In this case, his art was placed in the the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, and now he is recognized as one of the most significant American artists of the 20th century.

Dial’s is an inspiring true account, which shows that creativity has no limits. When it comes to its client base, the platform is specific; it does not care about your origin, background, or age. 

Therefore, the next time you visit a museum, make sure you take your time to look for Thornton Dial’s creations. It can happen to anyone and at any age – anyone can speak their passionate voice out to the world!