'Hard Truths: The Art of Thornton Dial'


History remembers, and people seem to be most receptive to works of art that speak to social, cultural and political issues the way Thornton Dial's huge and unique assemblage paintings and artworks do.

More than 70 of Dial's creations -- including 25 rarely seen pieces -- are in this IMA exhibit, which surveys the 80-plus-year-old African-American artist's career.
Born in Alabama in 1928, he worked as a welder for the Pullman Standard Co., but was always making "things," which are now of such great critical success that the IMA is shining a bright light on them. It's a must-see exhibit filled with Dial's large-scale paintings, drawings and found-object sculptures.

"This exhibition will bring long-overdue recognition to Thornton Dial's remarkable career and make this important artist's work accessible to new audiences," said Maxwell Anderson, the Melvin & Bren Simon director and CEO at the IMA.

"Hard Truths: The Art of Thornton Dial" opens Feb. 25 and runs through May 15. (317) 923-1331 or www.ima museum.org.
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