Howard Finster (AL/GA, 1916-2001), 25 Castles in the Holy Jungles

Lot Details & Additional Photographs

1984, polychrome painted wood cabinet door featuring people and castles, signed and dated with musings to the base, additionally signed and dated to verso with wire for wall display.

27 1/4 x 15 1/4 x 3/4 in.

Private Collection, Chicago and North Carolina

Base reads:

"25 Castles in the Holy Jungles - You will find Jesus at the top of the waterfalls / visions of other worlds by Howard Finster from God - 6:4:Nov-21-1984 / 3000-960 works of art - on nilon [sic] door - to last till Jesus comes. / The wisest thing any one could do is to be ready to meet God."

One of America’s most recognized outsider artists, Finster was a preacher for 45 years until 1976, when he experienced a vision and afterward began painting, in bright colors, religious art as well as everyday objects such as Coke bottles. The Rev. Howard Finster was born Dec. 2, 1916, in Valley Head, Alabama, and died Oct. 22, 2001, in Summerville, GA. He worked up album covers for R.E.M., Talking Heads and other bands, appeared on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,” and welcomed a steady stream of people (from regular folks to the famous, such as artist Keith Haring) who made the pilgrimage to his roadside attraction/folk art environment, Paradise Garden.

Small nick to lower right corner; otherwise good estate condition.