Thornton Dial

Thornton Dial was an American artist known for his large-scale assemblage sculptures made from found objects and recycled materials. Born in rural Alabama, Dial worked as a metalworker, carpenter, and gardener before turning to art in the 1980s.

Dial's work often addresses social and political issues, particularly those related to the African American experience. He was deeply influenced by the Civil Rights Movement and the history of slavery and segregation in the South, and his art frequently incorporates themes of struggle, oppression, and resilience.

Dial's sculptures are characterized by their use of found objects such as car parts, scrap metal, and discarded wood, which he arranged into complex, layered compositions. His work is often described as a form of "visual storytelling," with each piece telling a powerful narrative about the human condition.

In addition to his sculpture, Dial was also a painter, and his canvases often featured vivid, abstract compositions that echoed the textures and colors of his sculptures. His work has been exhibited at major institutions throughout the United States, including the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.