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STANLEY QUENTIN JOHNSON

born 1939

CountryMapleton, Utah, USA

BiographyStan Johnson was born in Murry, Utah on July 14, 1939. The bronzes of Stan Johnson contain the influence from masters of a past tradition. Neoclassicism is a style that cannot be found in contemporary sculptures of todays artists. The neoclassic art movement was taught by the masters from the old school. It was a style where the figure was worked to perfection. The surface is treated with a smooth, natural looking finish which shows the touch of a craftsman. It is both anatomically and structurally sound in its design and composition. The old masters have passed on taking their knowledge with them. The movement of modern art had such an over powering affect that it futher buried the old way of teaching, and its philosophy of art. There is no longer a learning process to be passed on to acquire first hand knowledge of this style.
Having been taught by one of the few remaining academically trained scholars, teaccher and sculptor, Avard Fairbanks was able to pass to Stan Johnson his knowledge. Inspired by the work of Daniel Chester French, A. Bourgeois, Cyrus Dallin, and many others, Stan Johnson is becoming recognized for his incomparable bronzes. He captures a measure of character in his subjects, seldom attained by the most devoted artist. This he attributes to his religion and knowledge he has been taught and trained in. Teacher, tireless researcher, avid archeologist, he travels among the Indian nations, to the jungle of Central America in his search for legends, traditions and artificats, from which his creative work finds its genesis. Speaking with Indians in several tribes, he has gained their respect and confidence in his pursuit to portray the Indian people and their sacred traditions and religion.
Detesting mediocracy he believes good art is useful, functional, and moral, and can be used as a teaching tool in conveying a message. Stan Johnson's philosophy of art centers around his Mormon religion and affluence. His attitude is that you cannot seperate art and religion, they both have a spiritual message to give. When the content is as sacred as one's religion it deserves an art form of equal worth and should contain our highest spiritual aspirations. It should contain a message for generations to come.
Developing fair talent at an early age, Stan was encouraged throughout his schooling up through his military training to be an artist. Working as a commercial artist for twelve years, he supported his wife and family. Determined to return to pursuing a career as a sculptor, he turned over his commercial art business to a friend, and started teaching. Shortly after he produced his first bronzes, and left his teaching career to further pursue his vocation as a professional sculptor.
The bronzes of Stan Johnson reveal both the mastery of a difficult medium and an obvious love for the people and wild creatures of his ative west. While many artists, authors, and script-writers seem preoccupied with the frailties and imperfections of man and his world, Stan has looked for--and found--in his subjects an essential greatness, a certain nobility; an integrity of character with universal appeal. In the Native American, he sees a personality forged by untold centuries of adaptation to his environment, and a view of a world in balance, where man is in harmony with earth and all things. He has been able to capture in his work the American Indian's intense spiritual relationship to every aspect of his life and environment. It is this "spiritual" quality which sets the bronze creations of Stan Johnson apart from the artists of today.
He received his professional training at the University of Utah and the Utah Technical College. HIs wife is Pamela Johnson and they have ten children and live in Mapleton, Utah.
Information taken from the artist's binder in The Print Study Room.
Entered by: Michael Clayton, Print Study Room Staff, 2/7/06

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