Written by Heather Hymas
What do you think of when you think of going home? Whether you have Christian beliefs or follow a different faith, Franz Johansen’s sculpture “Going Home” is sure to evoke strong emotion or memories for the viewer. Located in front of Twisted Noodle Cafe in downtown St. George as part of Art Around the Corner, the piece is not only amazingly beautiful to the eye, but the symbolism behind the message is also breathtaking. The bronze sculpture is realism and fantasy wrapped together in such an original way that it must be seen in person to appreciate its majestic quality.
Johansen is best known for his figurative relief sculptures in both bronze and stone. His work is found on the Joseph Smith Building and the Harold B. Lee Library at BYU and is also displayed prominently as a two-story relief sculpture on the front of the Church History Museum in Salt Lake City. Additionally, during the construction of the Washington, D.C. LDS Temple during the 1960s, Johansen was commissioned to sculpt the bronze doors for the building. Each door has four circular plates on which Johansen sculpted traditional LDS symbols such as suns, moons, and stars. Others of his works can be found in the BYU Sculpture Garden, the Springville Museum of Art, the John Wesley Powell Museum in Green River, Utah, and in other locations throughout the United States. For more information on the artist, visit BYU’s Fine Art and Communication main page at http://history.cfac.byu.edu/index.php/Franz_Johansen.
Downtown St. George is very fortunate to be the home of Johansen’s piece “Going Home” for the remainder of this year. It is a remarkable piece that one truly must see to appreciate. Next time you are taking a stroll downtown, stop in front of Twisted Noodle Cafe and spend a few moments. This is one piece of art you don’t want to miss.
