Howard Finster, Stranger from Another World: Man of Visions Now on This Earth

Briefly traces the life of the Baptist preacher, who has become a popular creator of primitive sculpture, painting, and architecture, and shows a variety of his work

Born in Alabama in 1915, Baptist preacher turned underground artist Howard Finster claims to have had his first vision at the age of three. Inspired by the word of God, visitations from the dead, and religious visions, Finster has described himself as a stranger from another world and a divine messenger. His mission: to save the world with his art. With such titles as "American Devils Are Very Friendly" and "Judge No Man by Yourself," Finster's obsessive paintings, constructions, and sculptures have been exhibited all over the world, from Los Angeles to SoHo to the Venice Biennale. The text, transcribed from hundreds of hours of taped interviews, is at once disturbing and fascinating.