(1898 - 1997) David Butler was born in Good Hope, Louisiana on October 2, 1898 and lived in Patterson, Louisiana. He is one of the most famous of the twentieth century folk artists and is know for the tin sculptures intricately cut out and painted, with which he decorated his yard and house. David has been the subject of many articles and papers, and his work has appeared in numerous gallery and museum exhibitions. He is also a subject of controversy between those who talk about the "destruction of his environment" through pressure to sell individual pieces and others who say he sold his work "quite willingly". David Butler was one of the artists featured in the 1982 landmark exhibition "Black Folk art in America 1930-1980". Butler died in his sleep at the Saint Mary Guest Home in Morgan City, Louisiana on May 16, 1997. His work is in the permanent collections of the New Orleans Museum of Art, the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, GA, the Museum of American Folk Art, the Akron Art Museum, the Museum of International Folk Art and many others.