Don’t Know Much About Art But We Know What We Like: The Grounds For Sculpture
Until some family members moved to “The Garden State” a few years ago, we’d never had a reason to visit New Jersey, a state we knew best as the setting for a couple of our favorite series, “The Sopranos” and “Boardwalk Empire.” Tough and gritty shows that were entertaining but a long way from the peaceful, idyllic image that “Garden State” should evoke. Wasn’t it the place where: New York City dumped its garbage, a skyline of industrial towers and chimneys belched fumes into the atmosphere, and the trashy reality show “Real Housewives of New Jersey” was filmed? But we’ve had to change our uninformed opinion of the state as each time we visit, we get a chance to drive through some of New Jersey’s cities. We’ve seen scenery that lives up to its license plate motto with beautiful gardens and parks, rivers, forests, hills and mountains. 
One of our favorite places during our visit to the state this time can be found at #80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton Township, New Jersey. In fact, right at the beginning of the lane leading into the Grounds for Sculpture, we were welcomed warmly by an enthusiastic, sign-waving group that gave us an inkling that we might not be visiting any old, staid and contemplative indoor/outdoor museum. We might actually have fun!
An enormous “au naturel” beauty (and her hissing cat) overlooks the parking lot.
The 42-acre park sits on the site of the former New Jersey State Fairgrounds and opened to the public in 1992. It’s the brainchild of J. Seward Johnson, Jr., one of the heirs of the immense Johnson & Johnson medical products fortune. Johnson is a philanthropist and a painter-turned-sculptor whose bronze figures can be found in many American cities as well as throughout the world. The Grounds for Sculpture brings together many of his works as well as showcases compositions by other renowned American and international artists in an evolving collection of over 270 contemporary large-scale and life-size statues.
A walk through the grounds is an interactive experience with Mr. Johnson’s sculptures showing “ordinary people doing ordinary things.” We strolled around and through outdoor rooms separated by tall hedges and treed tunnels, enjoying the lush landscaping and variety of plants, flowers and trees as well as approaching each new area with a sense of anticipation for the next surprise – the next tableau. At one point during our walk we heard a woman singing and the sound of water running. Rounding the corner of the outdoor room and much to our amusement, we spied commonplace pieces of clothing hanging from pegs and a woman showering.
“Employee Shower” by Carole Feuerman
Interspersed throughout the park were familiar scenes straight out of well-known paintings from the Impressionist period.
But, we don’t want to forget the additional six indoor galleries with exhibitions like the painted figure inspired by Vermeer’s “Girl with the pearl earring.”
And an unexpected iconic scene that made us smile!
A life-size Marilyn from the movie, “The Seven Year Itch.”
Perhaps the only sobering moment was at the beginning of our visit when we came upon Seward Johnson’s “Double Check,” a life-size bronze figure of a businessman, seated on a bench, reviewing a contract. Located near the North Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, it was the only piece of art that survived intact.
A sign nearby explains the exhibit.
“Rescue workers in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 tragedy got their only smile of the day when a “victim” lifted from the rubble turned out to be a bronze sculpture by artist Seward Johnson. “Double Check” was set up among the wreckage, becoming a makeshift memorial, as flowers and heartbreaking remembrances soon covered the piece.
Deeply moved, Johnson reverently collected all the messages of love and pain, cast them in bronze, and welded them to the piece exactly as he had found them one month after the tragedy. Johnson’s reinvented work, “Makeshift Memorial” was ceremoniously installed on New Jersey’s Hudson River Waterfront Walkway, which overlooks lower Manhattan and the former site of the World Trade Center.”
Art can make you appreciate the world around you, make you think and hopefully, make you look at the world a little differently. (We also like art that makes us laugh occasionally but that’s just us.) We don’t know much about art but we know what we like. And our visit to J. Seward Johnson’s Grounds for Sculptures definitely got our thumbs up!
Inspired by Grant Woods “American Gothic.”
Note: Unless otherwise mentioned, all works are by J. Seward Johnson
By Anita Oliver and Richard Nash 
Interesting. Art is in the eyes of the beholder. I remember in Montreal there was a piece of theatre that included a woman taking a pee onstage. Some people called it art.
I’m not sure I’m a fan of some of the sculptors up top. Some look a bit kitschy. But the 9/11 piece caught my eye.
Frank (bbqboy)
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We too have seen a lot of “art” where we would beg to differ, Frank! And your observation that some of the pieces are “kitschy” is exactly what many reviewers about Mr. Johnson’s sculptures have said over the years. There’s also some controversy about his interpretation of the old classics being derivative but we had fun with seeing a three-dimensional version and the different perspective. There’s no explaining what art is but we had a great time interacting with the statues on the Grounds for Sculpture. 🙂
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Well, in the end it’s all about getting enjoyment from it.
Still wouldn’t pay to see a woman pee onstage though 🙂
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We agree Frank. No peeing! Like the quote from a sixties Supreme Court Justice about obscenity, “… I know it when I see it” that kind of sums up our feeling about art! 🙂
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Interesting pictures, you have a great camera eye, thank you for posting them.
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Thanks so much for your kind words. We both have fun taking photos (hundreds and hundreds!) and the Grounds for Sculpture involved us in a quest to see how many art pieces we could find without resorting to the map!
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What a great find! It looks delightful. I have relatives who live in New Jersey, near the shore in a quiet, country setting. It’s a State that has been much maligned, but you found a wonderful part of it.
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I’m pretty sure we’d never have picked New Jersey as a place for sight-seeing if it hadn’t been for some family who moved there! It’s been a wonderful surprise to see some of its lovely sides. The state reminded us that all too-often we’re guilty of making assumptions when it’s much better to take a look for ourselves! Anita
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Realistic sculpture! Why haven’t I ever even thought about that??? I loved the way the artwork was placed in real settings , too. Looks like you had a great time in New Jersey. 🙂
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We loved J. Seward Johnson’s work and it’s fun to view his work online as well as see some of the cities where the statues pop up on various street corners. I love the element of surprise as well as the different perspective of seeing a famous painting in a three-dimensional format. And, another surprise Susan – we did have a good time in NJ!
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There’s no reason that art shouldn’t be FUN! And this does look like fun! I especially like the ones that are a take-off on other paintings, especially the outdoor ones you’ve shown.
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The impressionistic tableaus were our favorites also Rachel and we had a great time putting ourselves into many of the pictures for photos and interacting with the scenes. And you’re right – there are a lot of great contemporary artists who incorporate an element of fun into their creations. There’s no need to be serious all the time!
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Now that we’re living on the east coast we’ve spent a bit of time in NJ and passing through when we’re northbound. I admit to having mixed emotions. There are beautiful beaches for sure, and I would love to visit this sculpture garden, but there are a lot of not so pretty places/cities as well – and then of course some interesting politics associated as well. Of course that can be said about pretty much any state.
Thanks for the comment on our Camino FAQ. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions or want further information. I love talking about the Camino – even though it nearly did me in. Ha! Ha!
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You’re right Patti, about New Jersey’s urban blight and “interesting” politics (Bridgegate anyone?) and it definitely lives up to its reputation in many areas. It was great though, to explore some of its better sides and drive through some of its very charming towns like Princeton and around Hamilton Township.
As for future plans … Loved your ebook on the Camino and it was packed full of all sorts of useful info right down to the very important issue of feet and socks! I’m not sure why the idea of walking for so long and so far appeals to me but maybe the very simplicity of the goal each day is what I like… I’ve also been doing some checking into the European Peace Walk which sounds intriguing as well. Lots to think about! Anita
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Anita, I love this! Now I have a reason to go to New Jersey 🙂 I was touched by Johnson’s 911 sculpture, and the story behind it. That’s the first time I’ve heard about his original sculpture surviving. Great shot of you and Dick!
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See Nancie, there are reasons to go to New Jersey! One of the things we loved about this park was interacting with the sculptures and slipping in and out of the “picture frame” to take our photos with them. And we had a lot of fun watching other visitors do the same!
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Nice compilation !
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Thank you Aruna. A fun place to visit as well as write about!
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What a fantastic find. I would love to visit this sculpture garden. Your photos were the next best thing!
Great post!
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Thanks Irene – I think you’d find a visit to the Grounds for Sculpture entertaining and well worth your time! There really is something for everyone, whether you’re a serious art lover, someone who appreciates the outside and the park’s landscaped beauty or like us, someone who appreciates learning about art as well as having both fun and an interactive experience with the artists’ creations!
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Very cool :-). Some of those statues are very lifelike — like the man sleeping on the bench with the newspaper over his face. Seward Johnson has put together a fun sculpture park…
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On first glance (and second and third) many of the statues/sculptures do look like living, breathing, contemporary people. It was interesting reading about how Mr. Johnson creates these bronze sculptures using the centuries old “lost wax” method that we first learned about a couple of years ago in Colombia, South America, and more recently, a computer program. The process from start to finish can take months and he supervises many technician’s including a seamstress who makes clothing for the statues so that the artist can capture each fold and drape that makes the statue looks realistic. Very cool indeed!
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We’re with you, art is in the eye of the beholder. In our eyes, this is fantastic stuff!
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Agreed! There’s no reason that art has to be staid and somber. It was so fun to stroll about the grounds and see two-dimensional paintings that we were familiar with suddenly present themselves in life-size, three-dimensional tableaus. What we also liked seeing (and doing) was interacting with the figures, posing for pics and watching other visitors do the same. Your phrase “Art is in the eye of the beholder” is exactly right, Veronica!
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Fascinating, I would have never expected this for New Jersey, all the more reason now to visit. I love the grounds and all the fun installations, what a wonderful place to visit!
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We’re finding that there are lots of reasons to visit New Jersey but we’d have to put the Grounds for Sculpture in our Top 10 list. You’d have fun Noel, taking photos of both the sculptures and the beautifully landscaped grounds and there’s even a very well regarded restaurant, Rat’s (after Ratty in “The Wind and the Willows”) which serves French cuisine.
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I always enjoy sculpture parks but this one looks particularly fun. I enjoyed the Vermeer – and the welcoming committee!
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The welcoming committee really made us smile and gave us a clue as to what was ahead! There was a Mona Lisa sculpture, also with a frame in front of her in addition to the “Girl with the pearl earring” (as well as a life-size exhibit of Van Gogh’s bedroom) and it was amazing to see a two-dimensional painting turned into a three-dimensional work of art. Lots of fun and it’s hard not to be astounded sometimes by an artist’s sheer creativity!
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What an eclectic collection of sculptures! I’ve never spent any time in New Jersey, but would love to visit and check out these sculptures.
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The GFS are definitely worth a visit Doreen, should you find yourself in New Jersey. We didn’t know much about the Grounds for Sculpture when we entered and had no expectations, so the hours we spent there were a fun exploration of each outdoor room and the surprises they held. I think our years of traveling have left us more open to sight-seeing in the US too. It’s fun to be a tourist in our own country each time we go back to visit!
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This was super interesting and very unexpected! The ssculptures are SO realisstic. I llove how classic paintings were recreated as it gives one an idea of what inspired the painter in the first place. The survival of the Twin Tower sculpture and the later version are quite amazing.
Thanks for sharing the Sculpture Gardens.
Peta
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So glad you liked this post, Peta and it was our pleasure to share it! We thought the story of J. Seward Johnson’s “Double Check” was really moving and the exhibit was a chance to pause and remember those who died and how the world has changed since that day. I especially liked the fact that Mr. Johnson chose to make the tributes into a permanent memorial sculpture, “Makeshift Memorial,” again reflecting on what was lost as well as what was changed.
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We haven’t spent much time in New Jersey so this was an interesting post for me. I would love the Grounds for Sculpture. Thanks for the great tour!
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We’ve really enjoyed discovering all of the things there are to do in NJ and look forward to both our visits with family as well as learning more about the state. You’d love the Grounds for Sculpture LuAnn, not only for the artwork but also for the amazing landscaping and variety of plants. I think you and your camera would have a lot of fun!
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Unfortunately we haven’t spent much time in the northeast, something I hope to rectify someday soon.
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So many places to go LuAnn! I’ve just finished reading your post about The Dolomites in Italy and now that’s been added (near the top) to our ever-growing list. Gorgeous!
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We have Spain and Portugal high up on our list as well. I suggested to Terry that an extended stay, like we did in Mexico several years ago, may be in order. We could explore so much of Europe. 🙂
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Traveling slow is the best way to see this part of the world (where every village is unique) and we’re glad that Spain and Portugal are on your list. An extended stay is a great idea – and maybe our paths will cross!
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That would be lovely!
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Pingback: Don’t Know Much About Art But We Know What We Like: The Grounds For Sculpture — No Particular Place To Go | Thought You Might Like This…
Wow this was awesome and I’m going to reblog on “Thought You Might Like This!”
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Thanks for stopping by our blog and the pingback, DiAnne! The Grounds for Sculpture definitely fit under the category of “Thought you might like this!”
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Sometimes I forget I have that little blog out there but that sure woke me up! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
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I only recently learned about J. Seward Johnson’s Grounds for Sculptures and I think it sounds pretty cool. I’d like the visit.
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I think you’d love the sculptures, Donna and walking about the park discovering them is part of the fun. Since he’s placed so many of his sculptures in cities around the world you might want to check and see if any of his work is in Canada. Just a bit closer! 🙂
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What a wonderful find!! Love these sculptures.
Suzi
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Aren’t they great, Suzi? We will definitely have to go back when we visit NJ next to explore the grounds further. What’s really fun is that the park is evolving so new sculptures will have been added and the gallery exhibits will also change. Well worth the ticket price!
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You two always manage to unearth the most interesting things. Truly extraordinary! In New Jersey of all places – whodda thunk! 😉
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I think a lot of people say, “In New Jersey of all places” Dyanne! Certainly we didn’t expect to find anything like this and some of the many other beautiful places we’ve seen in a state that’s often the butt of jokes. This makes each visit and sight-seeing expedition a real adventure!
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This place is amazing! I especially love the impressionist ones, like the picnic one and memory fails me as to who the artist was. I also love the 7 year itch. I love that movie. I am so impressed by the talent of Mr. Johnson. They are so realistic. I’ve been to New Jersey but l would have never pictured something so nice there.
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Ha – You must have been to the part of New Jersey that everyone makes fun of Kemi! 🙂 You’ll have to google J. Seward Johnson as he has some terrific statues all over the world and there are a few articles that explain how he achieves the realistic details like making sure the fabric drapes in a realistic way. He even made a huge statue of Marilyn over the grate that stood in Chicago for years and is now on tour. (Of course, you have to picture all the male tourists standing under her skirt and looking up! 🙂
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This sculpture garden is amazing, very thought provoking pieces and some fun stuff. The one with the girl showering looked so real. In fact many looked so realistic and life like. I don’t understand much about art, but a place like this would make you stop and think about it😄
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We love visiting museums and art galleries Gilda, but we’re definitely in the late-bloomer, learn-as-you-go art lover class. Like you, we don’t know much but it’s fun to learn and interact with some of the artwork as well as just admire the sheer creativity. Art that surprises you and keeps you guessing is a lot of fun!
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Amazing and so creative!
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Thanks Cindy. You would have a terrific time photographing the flowers and beautiful gardens as well as the sculptures. There’s even some bird watching!
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It looks like an absolutely fun and inspiring collection in a great setting. We could feel your enthusiasm. Tim & Anne
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We tend to get a little enthusiastic, Tim and Anne, when we run into a place that is so surprisingly fun! 🙂 We had a great time walking around the grounds and discovering new groupings of sculptures. We wrote mostly about J. Seward Johnson’s work but there is a quite a bit of other beautiful artwork on the grounds that was amazing too.
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A fun place for everyone to enjoy!
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You’re so right about that Maria. There’s something for everyone there no matter what your age or even if you’re an art or garden lover. We’d love to go back again for another walk!
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I love the Grounds for Sculpture, and New Jersey! I lived there for 22 years, until 2011, and always got looks of pity from people when I told them that. But, it was a wonderful place to raise children. We lived in Hunterdon County, about an hour north from the Sculpture Gardens, and from our front porch, we could hear the waterfall in the river that my sons would walk to for flyfishing. It was idyllic. 🙂 I’m so glad that you’ve been able to see that side of NJ also.
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We’d always made fun of New Jersey (because that’s what people do!) before we actually started visiting family there but it really is a beautiful state with so many green areas. Probably the people who looked at you pityingly were like the “before” us! We also like that it is close by so many cities that we love to visit including New York City and Philadelphia. I can definitely see why it would be a great place to raise kids and we’ve enjoyed the chance to learn more about it!
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