Howard Finster (AL/GA, 1916-2001), Santa Claus Folk Art Cutout

Polychrome painted wood cutout of Santa Claus, 1985, signed and dated with musings to lower left and right legs, additionally inscribed to verso.

27 3/4 x 9 1/2 in.

Private Collection, Chicago and North Carolina

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.

Good estate condition.

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