Homecoming in Heaven197937 × 19 3/4 × 9 5/8"Paint on plywood with mirrors and lightbulb, in original pyrographed wood frame (double-sided)Gift of the Gitter-Yelen Collection2000.26.2a,b01540962741P11.2000.022026.22000.26.2Howard FinsterSculpture© Howard Finster / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
SummervilleSummervilleUnited StatesGeorgiaThree Dimensional WorkseMuseum - Collection HighlightsPaintingsSummervilleHoward Finster as jack-of-all-trades is evident in Cathedral in Heaven, which he numbered “1000 and 380.” This three-dimensional piece is one of several architectural forms fashioned by Finster. The vertical front panel is framed by the familiar patterned border often employed by the artist, which surrounds a multilevel building with cutaways revealing inner courtyards, halls, stairs, and windows. The cathedral is topped by towered domes and spires. The artist’s palette here is gold and blue, colors associated with heavenly realms. Hundreds of praying figures in multicolored robes dot the halls, rooms, and balconies. Heightening the celestial effect, small holes and cutaways on the surface reflect light from an interior electric lightbulb, exposing a three-paneled mirror painted with robed figures, angels, clouds, a sun, and what appears to be a heavenly mansion. The front panel opens out from hinges, and on the reverse is a painting of angels and clouds. Finster’s optimistic view of the Apocalypse is expressed in the brief text of this visual wonderland: “God’s great day,” “The end of time / brings a new / Heaven and / Earth,” “Home / coming / in Heaven,” “Great glad day,” “Home / coming / in / Heaven,” and “Join us soon.”Howard Finster was a born preacher and served as a Baptist lay minister in congregations and tent revivals in the rural South for around thirty years. In the 1960s Finster had a vision that led him to clear swampland behind his house and build Paradise Garden—a dense and complex environment with sculptures, assemblages, hand-painted signs, walkways, small outbuildings, and flowering plants and trees. In 1976 he was further prophetically directed to create “sacred art.” From that time forward he produced a vast body of paintings and constructions ringing with the word of the Lord in extensive texts—apocalyptic, didactic, and visionary—as well as reflections on popular culture, history, and current events.
Finster numbered each of his works. This was his first “corner painting,” numbered “1000 and 380.” The celestial palette of gold and blue is heightened by small cutouts that reflect light from an interior lightbulb. Part deco movie palace, part Arabian Nights, when it is open Finster’s teachings are expressed in brief texts interspersed throughout: “God’s great day,” “The end of time / brings a new / Heaven and / Earth,” “Home / coming / in Heaven,” “Great glad day,” and “Join us soon.”
Stacy C. Hollander, "Cathedral in Heaven," exhibition label for Ooh, Shiny!. Stacy C. Hollander, curator. New York: American Folk Art Museum, 2012.Object information is a work in progress and may be updated with new research. Records are reviewed and revised, and the American Folk Art Museum welcomes additional information. To help improve this record, please email photoservices@folkartmuseum.orgSculpture and Three Dimensional ObjectsP11.2000.022026.22000.26.219791979 2000 26 2a b Howard Finster as jack-of-all-trades is evident in Cathedral in Heaven, which he numbered “1000 and 380.” This three-dimensional piece is one of several architectural forms fashioned by Finster. The vertical front panel is framed by the familiar patterned border often employed by the artist, which surrounds a multilevel building with cutaways revealing inner courtyards, halls, stairs, and windows. The cathedral is topped by towered domes and spires. The artist’s palette here is gold and blue, colors associated with heavenly realms. Hundreds of praying figures in multicolored robes dot the halls, rooms, and balconies. Heightening the celestial effect, small holes and cutaways on the surface reflect light from an interior electric lightbulb, exposing a three-paneled mirror painted with robed figures, angels, clouds, a sun, and what appears to be a heavenly mansion. The front panel opens out from hinges, and on the reverse is a painting of angels and clouds. Finster’s optimistic view of the Apocalypse is expressed in the brief text of this visual wonderland: “God’s great day,” “The end of time / brings a new / Heaven and / Earth,” “Home / coming / in Heaven,” “Great glad day,” “Home / coming / in / Heaven,” and “Join us soon.”Howard Finster was a born preacher and served as a Baptist lay minister in congregations and tent revivals in the rural South for around thirty years. In the 1960s Finster had a vision that led him to clear swampland behind his house and build Paradise Garden—a dense and complex environment with sculptures, assemblages, hand-painted signs, walkways, small outbuildings, and flowering plants and trees. In 1976 he was further prophetically directed to create “sacred art.” From that time forward he produced a vast body of paintings and constructions ringing with the word of the Lord in extensive texts—apocalyptic, didactic, and visionary—as well as reflections on popular culture, history, and current events.
Finster numbered each of his works. This was his first “corner painting,” numbered “1000 and 380.” The celestial palette of gold and blue is heightened by small cutouts that reflect light from an interior lightbulb. Part deco movie palace, part Arabian Nights, when it is open Finster’s teachings are expressed in brief texts interspersed throughout: “God’s great day,” “The end of time / brings a new / Heaven and / Earth,” “Home / coming / in Heaven,” “Great glad day,” and “Join us soon.”
Stacy C. Hollander, "Cathedral in Heaven," exhibition label for Ooh, Shiny!. Stacy C. Hollander, curator. New York: American Folk Art Museum, 2012.Object information is a work in progress and may be updated with new research. Records are reviewed and revised, and the American Folk Art Museum welcomes additional information. To help improve this record, please email photoservices@folkartmuseum.orgSculpture and Three Dimensional Objects