George Paul Kornegay

George Paul Kornegay (November 23, 1913 – June 3, 2014) was an American folk and outsider artist, and minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, who created a large Christian visionary environment with found objects near Brent, Alabama.

[1] His father later bought 28 acres of land near Brent, Alabama and a two-story house from a Cherokee, Charles Hogan, for $100.

[1] Kornegay married Minnie Sue Tubbs on August 9, 1932, and they had 12 children; eight boys (Arthur Paul, George Jr., Earvin, Arthur Lee, Joel, Benjamin, Donald, and Ronnie) and four girls (Gloria Jean, Dorothy, Donna, and Annie).

[2] In 1960, Kornegay began to create a large narrative artwork (or "visionary environment") on a two acre site on a hill near his house using paintings, found objects and sculpture, but only worked full time on the project after his retirement in 1980.

[5] He had been inspired to create the work after a dream in which a vision from God told him that he would be better able to communicate his religious messages this way.

[4][3] Kornegay's African heritage was reflected in his creation of bottle trees and objects reminiscent of spiritual Nkisi.

[1] Arnett made a gentleman's agreement with Kornegay for him to keep his artistic creation in situ, and not to sell to collectors.

[7] Kornegay died a centenarian on 3 June 2014; he was predeceased by his wife, and his daughter Donna Lee, and survived by his 11 children, 30 grandchildren, and 45 great-grandchildren.