Sculpture on Campus
The Ocean County College Foundation proudly brings sculptor Seward Johnson’s artwork to our beautiful campus. This sculpture installation will run from October 2023 to June 2024.
Seward Johnson was born in New Jersey, and following the auspicious clipping of a newspaper ad for a beginner’s sculpture class, became well-known worldwide for his figurative sculptures. Spurred to strengthen communities through his artwork, Seward built an international community of artists with the Johnson Atelier, which continues to weave his sculpture into the fabric of everyday life through music, dance, poetry, food, all the things Seward loved.
Between Classes
Front of Tech Building
Between Classes, 2008 Ed. 4/8
bronze 68 x 35 x 36 in.
Front of Tech Building (Building #25)
Pointing you towards your next class – Ocean County College is committed to teaching, learning, and outreach. This includes events and activities, workforce and professional education programs, and public performances.
Can you tell what classes he’s taking by the details?
Seward Johnson, Between Classes, ©1994 The Seward Johnson Atelier, Inc., Photo by Ken Ek
Captured
Front of Library
Captured, 2013 Ed. 1 AP
bronze
52 x 72 x 32 in.
Front of Library (Building #3)
This piece was inspired by India Blake Johnson’s book of poetry and photography. How does the poem she is reading speak to you? If you were to write a poem, what would inspire you?
Seward Johnson, Captured, ©2013 The Seward Johnson Atelier, Inc., Photo by Ken Ek
Cloud Watching
Outside Gateway Building
bronze
19 x 25 x 75 in.
Outside the Gateway Building (hill to right of stairs/ramp) ( Building# 101)
Does being with nature cause you to see the world differently? What do you discover? Do you feel differently? Think about how your perspective changes when viewing the world while laying down.
Seward Johnson, Cloud Watching, ©1992 The Seward Johnson Atelier, Inc., Photo by
David W. Steele
It’s easy sometimes to forget the simple things that give us pleasure. If we open our eyes, life is marvelous. – Seward Johnson
Courting
Front of Instructional Building
Courting, 2020 Ed. 5/8
bronze
51 x 90 x 40 in.
Front of Instructional (Building #5)
Seward Johnson, Courting, ©1988 The Seward Johnson Atelier, Inc., Photo by Matt Yao
Embracing Peace
Campus Mall
bronze
67 x 36 x 40 in.
Campus mall by War Memorial
Reflect on this moment captured in time that symbolizes the joy felt at the end of the war.
Well-known for celebrating everyday life with vividly realistic sculpture, Johnson steps back in time with Embracing Peace, to pay homage to the veterans of World War II. This artwork honors the memory of the past, reminding us of the sacrifice of a nation, and awakens a younger generation to a turning point in our nation’s history.
Seward Johnson has stated, “I wanted to evoke a time of unity, a time without the divisiveness of today. The moment captured in the work encapsulates the spirit of having fought a successful campaign defending human rights, our shared values and that celebrates peace.”
Seward Johnson, Embracing Peace, ©2004 The Seward Johnson Atelier, Inc.
Getting Down
Outside Gateway
Getting Down, 1983 Ed. 2 AP
bronze
66 1/2 x 21 x 37 in.
Sidewalk from Gateway (Building #101) to Hovnanian Building (Building #102)
Did you know the Dutch Company Philips released the first portable Boombox (Norelco 22RL962) as the “Radiorecorder” in 1966?
Do you enjoy music? Take a music course at the College or enjoy a performance at the Grunin Center.
Seward Johnson, Getting Down, ©1983 The Seward Johnson Atelier, Inc.
“I want my work to disappear into the landscape and then take a viewer by surprise. After he gets over the shock of being fooled, it becomes an emotional discovery. Then he owns the sculpture. People often revisit their favorites. They become like friends.” – Seward Johnson
Grabbing Some Peace
Front of Russell Building
Grabbing Some Peace, 2017 Ed. 2/8
bronze
20 x 69 x 26 in.
Front of Russell ( Building #7)
Seek a quiet moment here.
Dance Prompt from Outlet Dance Project – Dance with a Bike! What moves us? Where is stillness in motion? How can we move with what moves us? How do we negotiate our own mobility while collaborating with an object with mobility at its core? What and where are our brakes? How do we connect with our need for things to pause, stop, come to standing? How do we encounter something that we are used to completely anew?
Seward Johnson, Grabbing Some Peace, ©2014 The Seward Johnson Atelier, Inc., Photo by David W. Steele
The Hero
Front of Hovnanian Building
The Hero, 1988 Ed. 1 AP
bronze
55 x 48 x 32 in.
Front of Hovnanian Building (Building #102)
Into everyone’s life comes some bumps and bruises.
Fun fact: Seward Johnson’s sculptures are primarily created from cast bronze weighing 300 lbs. to over 36,000 lbs. This particular piece weighs 350 lbs.
Seward Johnson, The Hero, ©1988 The Seward Johnson Atelier, Inc., Photo by Ken Ek
Keep Life in Balance
Outside Larson Student Center
aluminum and stainless steel
68 x 70 x 36 in.
Near entrance to Larson Student Center (Building #8)
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” – Albert Einstein
Stay passionately curious, keep moving forward, and remember, “creativity is intelligence having fun.”
Seward Johnson, Keep Life in Balance, ©2019 The Seward Johnson Atelier, Inc.,
Photo by Ken Ek
Fun fact: Seward Johnson’s sculptures are primarily created from cast bronze weighing 300 lbs. to over 36,000 lbs.
Making a Point
Front of Gymnasium
bronze
72 x 82 x 43 in.
Corner in front of the HPEC Building (Building #29)
Go Vikings! For the athletics calendar, visit https://www.occvikings.com
Fun Fact: Each Seward Johnson sculpture is signed by the artist and has a foundry stamp. These signify the authenticity of the sculpture. These can be found, usually, at the heel of the sculpture.
Seward Johnson, Making a Point, ©1984 The Seward Johnson Atelier, Inc.
Nice to See You
Student Enrollment Building
bronze
91 x 38 x 32 in.
Student Enrollment Building (Building #9)
Did you see the paperback copy of Rear Window in the washer’s back pocket? Let’s have a movie night tonight and watch the Alfred Hitchcock classic. When Seward Johnson was making the work, knowing that what he was creating had multiple meanings meant that everyone could bring their own story to the work.
Seward Johnson, Nice to See You, ©1992 The Seward Johnson Atelier, Inc., Photo by
Ken Ek
No Way!
Hiering Science Building
No Way!, 2013 Ed. 2/8
bronze
74 x 90 x 45 in.
Hiering Science Building (Building #27)
It was a specific moment of daily life that happened to be captured of these three brothers and a girlfriend having a chess competition outside their home in Newark on recycling day. Seward and the staff spent quite a bit of time with the group while modeling them and getting to know their personalities.
Seward Johnson, No Way!, ©2013 The Seward Johnson Atelier, Inc., Photo by Ken Ek
Fun Fact: Each Seward Johnson sculpture is signed by the artist and has a foundry stamp. These signify the authenticity of the sculpture. These can be found, usually, at the heel of the sculpture.
One on One Learning
Instructional Building Lobby
bronze
71 x 48 x 48 in.
Inside Instructional Building lobby (Building #5)
Promoting exploration and comprehension of Seward Johnson’s work, we encourage you to visit the Atelier and Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, New Jersey.
Seward Johnson, One on One Learning, ©2005 The Seward Johnson Atelier, Inc.,
Photo by Matt Yao
Out to Lunch
Front of Planetarium
Out to Lunch, 1980 Ed. 5/8
bronze
38 x 60 x 42 in.
Front of Planetarium (Building #13)
Visit the first floor of the Jon and Judith Larson Student Center for a variety of options!
Fun Fact: In the early years of the Johnson Atelier, castings were chemically patinated; however, Seward Johnson always pushing the confines of technology, experimented and reimagined these early castings by painting them. The paint used is a heavy-duty coating used by the aeronautic and automotive industries.
Seward Johnson, Out to Lunch, ©1975 The Seward Johnson Atelier, Inc., Photo by
David W. Steele
Reading?
OCC Manahawkin
Reading?, 2019 Ed. 5 AP
bronze
48 x 60 x 22 in.
OCC Manahawkin
Have you read this book? Share an insight into your heart and mind with those around you.
Seward Johnson, Sweet Sixteen, ©1980 The Seward Johnson Atelier, Inc., Photo by
Ken Ek
“I want you to pass my sculptures as though they were just people sitting there. I want you to pass them at least once that way — if not twice.”
– Seward Johnson
Recess
Outside Instructional Computer Center
bronze
55 x 22 x 32 in.
Front of Instructional Computer Center (Building #22) – Recess
Note the magazine details – The artist deliberately made this magazine customizable to each location it is shown. How does this affect how you perceive it?
Seward Johnson, Recess, ©1982 The Seward Johnson Atelier, Inc., Photo by Ken Ek
Sidewalk Concert
Near Grunin Center Entrance
bronze
72 x 30 x 27 in.
Near entrance to Grunin Center closer to Parking Lot #2 (Building #11) – Sidewalk Concert
Do you think his facial expression is a result of an involuntary reaction to concentration, emotion, or nerves? What do you think he is playing? Did you know that the face on the money in the case is of the artist?
The intense and internal spirit of the musician is shown in this sculpture. One humorous note is that the paper money in this street player’s case are bronze bills with sculptor Seward Johnson’s own face sculpted in relief on them!
Dance Prompt from Outlet Dance Project – Dance Within the Space of a Single Sidewalk Square. What freedoms can be found in self-imposed restrictions? How does the body respond to borders? What role does time play when we consider smaller spaces…does duration affect our comfort when our ability to expand beyond boundaries is limited? How are we affected by the many lives that have stepped into these squares before us?
Seward Johnson, Sidewalk Concert, ©1992 The Seward Johnson Atelier, Inc., Photo
by Ken Ek
Testing Togetherness
Front Of Gateway
Testing Togetherness, 2010 Ed. 1 AP
bronze
18 x 58 x 88 in.
Grassed area in front of the Gateway Building (Building #101)
“I want you to pass my sculptures as though they were just people sitting there. I want you to pass them at least once that way — if not twice.” – Seward Johnson
Seward Johnson, Testing Togetherness, ©2010 The Seward Johnson Atelier, Inc.,
Photo by Ken Ek
“The human spirit triumphs, if only for moments in a day. I try to have my work call attention to those moments.”
– Seward Johnson
Uninvited Advice
Front of Administration Building
Uninvited Advice, 1992 Ed. 1 AP
bronze
69 x 66 x 138 in.
Front of Administration Building (Building #1) facing the Larson Student Center (Building #8) painting the Larson Student Center
Installation November 2023
With this title Johnson invites the viewers to have their own interpretation of the interaction between artist and “critic”. Notice the fine details of her bronze canvas as she paints the scene before her, as well as the in-process colors on her brush, palette and rag. She is clearly lost in the joy of painting and the gentleman’s comments may very well go unnoticed. Mr. Johnson is, no doubt, making a subtle wry statement about the relationship of art critics to the artist.
Studies have shown that expressing yourself through the arts can have a variety of health benefits. We also know that being in nature is beneficial as well. The composition of this sculpture literally incorporates both art and nature. Think of ways you might be able to incorporate art and nature into your daily life.
Seward Johnson, Uninvited Advice, ©1992 The Seward Johnson Atelier, Inc., Photo
by David W. Steele
Yuck, Go Fetch!
Near entrance to Grunin Center
bronze
41 x 46 x 146 in.
Campus Mall by the Ocean County College arch
Seward Johnson created eight editions of most of his sculptures. This edition on display is considered the “artist proof” which is the sculpture that the artist keeps in their collection.
So much of our lives are shared with pets. The affection, the play, the responsibility. If only the humans understood. Since we can’t ask them directly, what do you think they are thinking about?
Seward Johnson, Yuck, Go Fetch!, ©1990 The Seward Johnson Atelier, Inc.
_KEK2656 – Photo by Ken Ek
To learn more about upcoming Foundation Events and the Foundation Art Collection, please call 732-255-0492 or send an inquiry to Foundation@ocean.edu.