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Thornton Dial had a long career as a railroad welder for the Pullman Standard Company before he turned to art. His first works developed around metal frames as he used his knowledge of steelworking for new purpose. Even as Dial’s art evolved to wall-mounted constructions, as seen here, he maintained the aesthetic of twisted metal in his pieces. The fabric and carpet scraps in this work visually evoke the structure and strength of his earlier armatures.

Throughout his practice, Dial has repurposed found materials, sometimes in homage to their original purpose, sometimes in the service of new narratives. Here, floral wallpaper is scattered over the surface, speaking to topography and landscape from an aerial view as well as serving as an homage to women in his life.