Name/Title
Life Go OnEntry/Object ID
2009.1.3Description
This work is a painting of the upper torso of a nude female executed in colors of purple, blue, red, and green. Two tigers, on either side of the woman, may be trying to comfort the woman by placing their paws on her shoulders. Two large trees flank the woman’‚s head, while one large blue bird flies above her head, and a small bird hides behind one of the tigers. Thornton Dial began painting and drawing images of women on paper after an exhibition of his work in 1990 called Ladies of the United States, at Kennesaw State College in Marietta, Georgia. An art critic wrote that Dial couldn't’‚t draw and made women look ugly, which was particularly hurtful to Dial, as he has a huge respect for the female race. He was raised by women, and believes women carry strength, power, and love. Dial says that man would lose his ’struggle’ without women’s strength and love. Dial would draw and paint images of women till his death in 2016.Artwork Details
Medium
Paper, Watercolor PaintCollection
Southern Vernacular Art CollectionAcquisition
Accession
2009.1Source or Donor
Lou and Calynne HillAcquisition Method
GiftMade/Created
Artist Information
Artist
Dial, Thornton Sr.Role
ArtistDate made
1990Dimensions
Height
30 inWidth
22-1/2 inInterpretative Labels
Label
Thornton Dial, Sr. (1928-2016)
Thornton Dial, Sr. is the most famous vernacular artist from the Southeast, whose work has shattered the art world's notion of "folk" and "outsider" art. Although Dial has never had any education or art training and is from a rural town in Alabama, his work touches on themes of racial inequality, struggles in a modern world, and relationships between men and women, themes that resonate with audiences around the world.Created By
admin@catalogit.appCreate Date
October 1, 2009