In the 1950s, Jesse Howard began covering his twenty-acre property in Fulton, Missouri, with biblical scenes and model airplanes decorated with patriotic messages, raising the ire of his neighbors. After numerous vandalizations of his works, Howard erected an ever-growing series of hand-lettered signs proclaiming his views of the world, predominantly interpretations of biblical verse, commentary on local and national politicians, and condemnation of vandals who stole his signs. Neat capital letters in black or red paint, set within carefully ruled lines on whitewashed wood or metal panels, spell out the artist’s outrage, the words often spilling over to the next line as if articulating a breathless screed.

The site, which Howard called Sorehead Hill, was soon brimming with hundreds of works of art. His fence, house, yard, and several outbuildings overflowed; as signs were stolen, Howard made more. Despite the ongoing battles with his neighbors, his work achieved national recognition.

When Howard died in 1983, the Kansas City Art Institute became the steward of his signs. It worked with Kohler Foundation, Inc., in 2016 to add 187 objects from its collection to the John Michael Kohler Arts Center’s holdings of Howard’s work.