Rev. Albert Wagner: Faith in Paint

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     Rev. Albert Wagner (1924–2006) was a self-taught artist, preacher, and visionary whose art grew out of a powerful spiritual experience. Born in rural Arkansas to a family of sharecroppers, Wagner left school at a young age and later moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where he worked different labor jobs while raising his family. He never had formal art training and did not begin making art seriously until he was fifty years old. In 1974, while painting his house, Wagner began seeing faces and figures in the marks left by paint cans. He believed these images were messages from God, and that moment inspired him to devote his life to creating art.

     Over the next thirty years, Wagner filled his home with thousands of paintings, sculptures, and handmade objects. His work often featured angels, musicians, couples, animals, and biblical scenes painted in bright colors and bold shapes. Alongside his art practice, Wagner became a Pentecostal minister and founded the People Love People House of God in the basement of his East Cleveland home. For Wagner, art and faith were deeply connected, and he saw creativity as part of his spiritual mission. By the time of his death in 2006, his home had become a complete artistic environment and his work was recognized as an important contribution to American self-taught and outsider art.

Exhibition Specifications:

Number of works: 

•  13 Paintings in a range of sizes—the largest at 4' x 4' and the smallest at 8" x 4".
• 1 sculpture 70” H × 48” W × 14” D.

Size of Exhibition:

• Up to 1000 Square ft. is recommended.
• The exhibition can be tailored to meet the specific requirements of your gallery.

Shipping & Insurance

• The borrower is responsible for all shipping arrangements and costs. A list of cost-effective shipping partners can be provided upon request.
• x1 C-Bin 60" L x 25" W x 28" L
• x1 sculpture in cardboard box 70" x 48" x 14" in 

Loan Duration: 

• 8-24 weeks. 
• Exhibition loan durations are customizable to best suit your institution’s timeline.

Labels & Didactics:

• Venues responsibility to create and print labels and didactic info.

Security

• Moderate security required.

Hardware

• Detailed installation instructions, and special hardware travels with the exhibition.

Credit Line:

• Private Collection

Availability: 

• January 2026 onward

Fees:

• Price available upon request