Thornton Dial

Alabama (born 1928)

Dial's works have been compared to those of Baselitz, Kiefer, Schnabel and other celebrated artists. His perspective and technique may have peers in the mainstream art world. However, those qualities coupled with such profound emotional power and piercing socio-political commentary make a rare combination.

It is through his symbolic use of animal and plant images as well as found objects that he is able to express poignant observations about personal relationships, families, individual character, aspirations, race relations, government, industry, and the environment.

In 1993, Dial had concurrent solo exhibitions at the Museum of American Folk Art and The New Museum for Contemporary Art. His work was recently exhibited in the 2000 Whitney Biennial.

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