Howard Finster

Date of Birth: December 2, 1916

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: October 22, 2001

Biography

Howard Finster was a self-taught American artist and Baptist minister born on December 2, 1916, in Valley Head, Alabama. He is best known for his outsider art, and particularly for his creation of the enigmatic Paradise Garden, an art environment in Summerville, Georgia. Finster claimed to have been inspired by a vision from God to create sacred art, which led him to produce over 46,000 pieces of art in his lifetime. His work often featured pop culture icons, biblical themes, and elaborate, colorful designs filled with text. Finster’s art gained widespread recognition in the 1980s, particularly after his collaboration with the band R.E.M. for their album cover “Reckoning” and the Talking Heads’ album cover “Little Creatures.” His work has been exhibited in prestigious institutions like the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the High Museum of Art. Finster passed away on October 22, 2001, but his legacy continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.

5 Interesting Facts about Howard Finster

1. Howard Finster claimed to have created his first piece of sacred art at the age of 59 after receiving a vision from God.

2. He built Paradise Garden using recycled materials, found objects, and his own artworks, transforming it into a sprawling art environment.

3. Finster’s work was featured on the album covers of R.E.M.’s “Reckoning” and Talking Heads’ “Little Creatures.”

4. He was featured in the 1982 Venice Biennale, bringing his outsider art to an international audience.

5. Finster appeared on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” in 1983, further boosting his fame.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Howard Finster

1. “I took the pieces you threw away, put them together by night and day, washed by rain, dried by sun, a million pieces all in one.”

2. “I paint by the voice of God.”

3. “I never knew what art was until God showed me.”

4. “My mind is a machine for making art.”

5. “Art is an experience of the spirit.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Howard Finster’s highest net worth is difficult to pinpoint precisely, but estimates suggest it was in the low millions, thanks to the sale of his artworks and the increasing value of his pieces after his death.