The Art of Thorton Dial
Alabama Public Television is running a documentary, Mr. Dial Has Something to Say, about Thorton Dial this October. He’s a remarkable man in many respects. Worked most his life doing hard manual labor, carpenter, brickleayer, steelworker, and it wasn’t until after his retirement that he started seriously creating his wonderful art. Amazing stuff, and immersed in the world, it grabs hold of you. I appreciate art like that. You can view the trailer for the film here, and here’s a closing quote from Mr. Dial, “Art ain’t about paint. It ain’t about canvas. It’s about ideas. Too many people died without ever getting their mind out to the world. I have found how to get my ideas out and I won’t stop. I got ten thousand left.“
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I watched the program about Thornton Dial last night. I live in a small town,Eutaw, Alabama, in Greene County, right down the road from Sumpter County where Mr. Dial grew up. My family has been here for generations. My daughter, who has always been very artistic, became a huge fan of Mr. Dial’s at 13 years of age. She was inspired by his works and began collecting pieces of metal, old clothing, etc. and creating art on pieces of wood and such. She went to Birmingham last weekend to see his art showing, and has read everything she could get her hands on about him. She is the one who informed me of the PBS program, which was fascinating. He is an artist in the true meaning and feeling of the word. It would be wonderful if Mr. Dial could come back to visit his roots. Please let me know if he ever does. My daughter and I, and many others, would be honored to meet him.
Please send admiration to Mr. Dial from Greene County, AL
Becki thanks for the comment. He is a wonderful artist. Great story about your daughter too. It’s beautiful when an artist can inspire us to explore our own creativity.