Thornton Dial: I, Too, Am Thornton Dial | Wiregrass Museum of Art, Dothan, AL
January 20 – March 25, 2023
More information on the exhibitionThornton Dial
I, Too, Am Thornton Dial
Wiregrass Museum of Art, Dothan, AL
Curated by Paul Barrett
The Wiregrass Museum of Art (WMA) is pleased to present I, Too, Am Thornton Dial, an exhibition of works by the late Thornton Dial. This exhibition is presented in partnership with the Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts at UAB, and the Samford University Art Gallery.
Curated by Paul Barrett, the presentation at WMA focuses on Dial's works on paper. This exhibition argues that Dial's drawings are as significant to his practice as his monumental assemblages, and powerful in their own right. The exhibition draws on loans from the estate of the artist, and private collections, with many works only recently exhibited for the first time.
“The Wiregrass Museum of Art consistently presents compelling artists and exhibitions,” says Barrett. “Just as Mr. Dial created a significant body of work in Alabama for years while community support went to artists from larger cities or out of state, the Wiregrass Museum of Art creates high-quality programming to engage their community year after year and has earned my respect. It's a pleasure to work with them again and to bring Mr. Dial's work to a new audience."
WMA’s presentation follows two recent exhibitions of Dial’s work that bring deserved attention to the artist within his home state, including I, Too, Am Alabama at the Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts at UAB in 2022: the first large-scale exhibition of Dial’s work in Alabama, which spanned Dial’s entire career including sculpture, works on paper, and assemblages.
“As we celebrate WMA’s 35th anniversary year, we will continue to highlight the work of exemplary Alabama artists, including the work of Thornton Dial. The museum is committed to elevating the rich cultural tapestry of our State’s artistic contributions and we’re proud to bring this exhibition to the Wiregrass community,” says Dana-Marie Lemmer, WMA’s executive director and curator.
A catalog featuring new essays and many artworks never presented to the public will be available at the opening reception.
Thornton Dial (1928-2016) is one of Alabama's most critically acclaimed artists, and his works can be found in the collections of the Birmingham Museum of Art, Birmingham, AL; High Museum of Art, Atlanta, GA; Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY; Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, Montgomery, AL; Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, NY; and numerous other important institutions. His work has been the subject of solo exhibitions including at the High Museum of Art, Atlanta, GA (2016); Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, IN (2011); New Orleans Museum of Art, New Orleans, LA (2011); Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, TX (2005); New Museum of Contemporary Art, New York, NY (1993); American Folk Art Museum, New York, NY (1993); and was included in the Whitney Biennial, Whitney Museum, New York, NY (2000).
Public Programming
January 19, 5:30–8pm
Opening Reception
Celebrate the opening of I, Too, Am Thornton Dial at the Wiregrass Museum of Art during Art After Hours. The event will feature a cash bar, artmaking stations, and live music.
February 4, 1pm
Gallery Talk and Film Screening
WMA presents a gallery talk with Paul Barrett, the exhibition curator, followed by a film screening of the 2007 documentary Mr. Dial Has Something to Say, which tells the dramatic story of Dial’s experiences. The gallery talk will begin at 1pm, and the film screening at 1:45pm within the museum’s galleries.
March 2, 6pm
Virtual Artist Talk
WMA presents a virtual talk with Richard Dial, Thornton Dial’s son, and Alabama artist Jakob Dwight. Moderated by exhibition curator Paul Barrett, the discussion will focus on how these two Alabama artists worked through their respective health crises and went on to create some of their most poignant works. Registration is required—participants can register for the virtual talk here.
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