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FRANZ M. JOHANSEN

1928-2018

CountryOrem, Utah, USA

BiographyThe "Veil Series" by Franz Mark Johansen, depicts that which is most important to Johansen's work: spiritual relationships. In mostly monochromatic tones with gold and silver accents, the artist portrays the religious idea of the veil that hangs between our present mortality and the afterlife to come. With a single figure on each side of the veil, he presents the notion that those who have already passed to the other side are there to help those who are still in mortality, somewhat like guardian angels. "Veil Series" exemplifies most of Johansen's work in that it is deeply spiritual and is rooted in LDS theology. Johansen was born May 10, 1928 in Ogden, Utah. He had a late introduction to art. Although his mother encouraged his artistic pursuits and Franz participated artistically in the production of his high school's yearbook, it was not until he served a mission for the LDS church that his interest in the arts grew. Being a "Utah farm boy," Franz naturally was impressed by the culture and museums of London, England. He also was impressed by the nature of the art he sat, which was mainly religious, whether medieval or Victorian. The young missionary was moved by a story about the English Romantic poet William Blake, who in his early boyhood, believed he saw the face of God at his window and throughout his life strived to express his deep religious convictions. Likewise, Franz was inspired to express his religious beliefs through visual art. Upon his return from London, he acted upon that desire and began his formal education in art. He received his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts from Brigham Young University, studying under Glenn H. Turner, J. Roman Andrus, and B.F. Larsen. In addition, he studied at the California School of Arts and Crafts, the Illinois Institute of Design, and the Acadamie de la Grande Chaumiere in Paris. As a skin diver, Franz was interested in underwater and microscopic life forms about which he studied at the Marine Biology Institute at the University of Miami, and this interest is evident in his early works. In 1950, Johansen married Ruth Aldous, his childhood sweetheart. They have a family of 7 children. One son, Nathan, followed in his father's footsteps and he is also a successful sculptor. Franz is best known for his figurative relief sculptures in both stone and bronze. Although he grew up in the West, he does not consider himself to be a western artist. Instead, his figures and subject matter reflect his European training. His art is at the same time both representational and symbolic. His subject matter often reflects his interest in the resurrection. Because of the religious content of his art, Johansen was a natural choice for the commission for the doors of the LDS temple in Seattle and Washington D.C. He believes the symbolism presented in the reliefs correlates with the LDS symbolism within the temples. The doors are covered with circular stylized designs containing traditional LDS symbols such as suns, moons, and stars. The artist taught in the BYU Art Department from 1956 until his retirement in 1989. Franz lives in Provo, Utah and often works alongside his son Nathan on bronze sculptures.

Information taken from the artist's binder in The Print Study Room.

Person TypeIndividual