Thornton Dial (1928-2016), one of the most important artists in the
American South, came to prominence in the late 1980s and was
celebrated internationally for his large construction pieces and
mixed-media paintings. It was only later, in response to a
reviewer's negative comment on his artistic ability, that he began
to work on paper. And it was not until recently that these drawings
have received the acclaim they deserve. This volume, edited by
Bernard L. Herman, offers the first sustained critical attention to
Dial's works on paper.
Concentrating on Dial's early drawings, the contributors examine
Dial's use of line and color and his recurrent themes of love,
lust, and faith. They also discuss the artist's sense of place and
history, relate his drawings to his larger works, and explore how
his drawing has evolved since its emergence in the early 1990s.
Together, the essays investigate questions of creativity and
commentary in the work of African American artists and
contextualize Dial's works on paper in the body of American
art.
The contributors are Cara Zimmerman, Bernard Herman, Glenn Hinson,
Juan Logan, and Colin Rhodes.