For Immediate Release
March 13, 2020
Contact: Jeff Tittel, NJ Sierra Club, 609-558-9100
J. Seward Johnson Jr., a sculptor born who may be responsible for more double takes than anyone in history thanks to his countless lifelike creations in public places, died on Tuesday at his home in Key West, Florida. He was 89 years old. Mr. Johnson established the Johnson Atelier in Hamilton, New Jersey, a sculpture school and foundry where artisans helped fabricate his sculptures as well as those of other artists. He also created a 42-acre sculpture park on a former fairground in Hamilton.
“Our condolences go to J. Seward Johnson Jr.’s family. Our hearts and prayers go out to them. J.Seward had an incredible gift of creating beautiful places for everyone. He embraced the beauty of art and nature in his work. His creation in Hamilton, he took an abandoned former fairground, cleaned it up and made it into an environmental oasis that was landscaped beautifully with his sculptures. He believed that art should be seen in a park and open for everyone to enjoy,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.
J. Seward’s sculpture in New Jersey, “Double Check”, was of a seated businessman reviewing the contents of his briefcase. The sculpture was in Liberty Park near the World Trade Center when the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, left the area in ruins. Many other artworks in the buildings and outside were destroyed that day, but the man with the briefcase, though knocked off his perch, survived, covered in debris.
“My wife and I truly enjoyed his company, whether it was talking to him on the grounds or going to his house for dinner. He would entertain us with sing along songs and tell wonderful stories of his art and his life. He made everything come alive,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “Even though he may be gone, he will leave a legacy of beautiful artwork that everyone can enjoy and embrace. The grounds for sculpture and his artwork will be remembered for generations. We will cherish his life’s work and his memory will be with us forever.”