Painter
Thornton Dial
Thornton Dial was an American self-taught artist whose large painted assemblages combined found objects with ordinary house paint, enamel, spray paint, and other construction materials.
Thornton Dial quick facts
A concise reference for his materials, subjects, and painting approach.
| Born | 1928 · Emelle, Alabama, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Died | 2016 · McCalla, Alabama, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Paint media | House paint · Enamel paint · Spray paint |
| Common materials | Rope, wire, wood, metal, fabric, discarded objects, and other found materials |
| Common subjects | Race, class, violence, war, Black life in the American South, struggle, and survival |
| Known for | Dense painted assemblages that transform discarded everyday materials into complex narrative and symbolic works |
Sources: Smithsonian American Art Museum, Smithsonian: Oh Freedom!, and Smithsonian: The Beginning of Life in the Yellow Jungle.