Southern souls: African-American Art at the Met

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Gift of Souls Grown Deep Foundation from the William S. Arnett Collection, 2014 (2014.548.1). © Thornton Dial​

‘My art is the evidence of my freedom,’ said the artist Thornton Dial.

Born in 1928 in racially divided Alabama, Dial was, like many of his contemporary African-American artists, self-taught. The piece shown here is his 102in x 87in x 23in assemblage of mixed media, created in 2004. Called History Refused to Die, it is made of okra stalks and roots, clothing, collaged drawings, tin, wire, steel, enamel and spray paint. It is on show now in New York, as part of an exhibition featuring works by Dial and other African-American artists whose art – paintings, drawings, sculptures and quilts – is part of the Souls Grown Deep Foundation collection.

These artists, some born as late as the 1960s, created works of raw beauty from both conventional art media and cast-off materials. The works are diverse, but bound by a common theme; they carry messages rooted in personal history, regional identity and legacies that include slavery and histories of oppression. These were works that the artists made for themselves, or their communities, with no expectation that they would one day be viewed in galleries or museums.

This is a rare chance to see 30 pieces gathered in one place at one time.

Until 23 September. History Refused to Die: Highlights from the Souls Grown Deep Foundation Gift, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. See metmuseum.org