"Leopard", 1990
Mixed media on wood cut-out
Signed, dated, numbered and inscribed on verso
24 1/2" x 54" x 1/4"
Provenance: Purchased from the artist
“The Lord spoke and he said: Give up the repair of lawn mowers
Give up the repair of bicycles
Give up sermons
Paint my pictures……..And that’s what I done” Howard Finster is possibly the most prolific and famous Outsider artist. He turned his house in Georgia into “Paradise Garden”, a venue to display his vision of preaching through painting, with a constant display of artwork for sale to the collectors and dealers who were frequent visitors. His paintings were brought to national attention by LIFE magazine in 1980 when it featured Finster among a number of leading folk artists and catapulted him to his current level of fame. To spread his vision, Finster produced more than 20,000 paintings. He used anything at hand – furniture, bottles, mirrors, plastic, plywood, canvas, and, as he would say, “the best bicycle paint available”. Finster’s art is instantly recognizable
the best is deserving of the superstar status he earned by preaching and promoting to aspiring believers and collectors. His work is in the collections of national and international museums and he was chosen to represent America at the Venice Bienniale in 1984.

Condition

In very good original condition with four small holes to attach to wall on snout, top and two feet.