Robert W Johnson
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| Robert W Johnson | |
|---|---|
| File:Robertwjohnson.jpgRobertwjohnson.jpg | |
| Born | Robert William Johnson August 3, 1922 Becker, Minnesota |
| 💀Died | April 20, 2016 (aged 93) Robbinsdale, MinnesotaApril 20, 2016 (aged 93) |
| 💼 Occupation | |
| Known for | Artist, Entrepreneur, Illustrator |
| Style | contemporary art |
| 👩 Spouse(s) | Mary Lue Turbak |
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Robert "Bob" Johnson (August 2, 1922 – April 20, 2016)[1] was an American commercial sculptor and artist based out of Robbinsdale, Minnesota.[2] Best known for his prolific 60-year career creating monumental roadside attractions and three-dimensional advertising displays, Johnson's work became staple landmarks across the Upper Midwest. His most famous creations include the giant Golden Guernsey cow heads for Ewald Brothers Dairy and large-scale steel and fiberglass fabrications for national commercial clients, including Walt Disney World.[2][3]
Early life and education
Johnson was born grew up in Becker, Minnesota.[3] He served in the United States Navy during World War II before returning to Minnesota to pursue his formal art education. He studied classical sculpture under the prominent Minnesota sculptor Evelyn Raymond and subsequently attended fine art classes at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis.[3]
While initially trained in traditional fine art methodologies, Johnson pivoted his talents toward the booming post-war industry of outdoor commercial advertising and large-scale architectural fabrications. He established his long-term home and studio on West Broadway in Robbinsdale, where he operated for over 50 years.[3]
Career and major works
Roadside and advertising sculptures
Working in tandem with regional advertising agencies like Naegele Outdoor Advertising, Johnson specialized in expanding flat, two-dimensional corporate mascots into massive, three-dimensional sculptures. He frequently referred to his style of work as "imagineering."[3]
- Ewald Dairy "Golden Guernseys" (1954): Johnson's most enduring legacy is the pair of giant Golden Guernsey cow heads built for the Ewald Brothers Dairy billboards. Standing 10 feet high with a horn-to-horn wingspan of 12 feet, these massive fiberglass heads were constructed inside an aircraft hangar to shield them from weather during fabrication.[2] First erected along Golden Valley Road, the landmark cow heads were later moved to the Minnesota State Fairgrounds near the Swine Barn following the dairy's closure.[2]
- Corporate Mascots: Johnson sculpted the "Sandy Saver" mascot used to promote Gold Bond stamps on regional marquees, as well as the 3D "Sno Boy" character used for fresh produce advertising campaigns.[3]
- Octopus Car Wash Displays emission: Johnson sculpted a series of eight giant green octopuses designed to sit on poles overlooking Colonial Car Wash locations throughout the Twin Cities metro area.[3]
Architectural and corporate commissions
Beyond roadside billboards, Johnson was frequently commissioned to execute interior and exterior themes for motels, financial institutions, and regional nightlife spots. Notable installations included:
- A 10-foot bronze statue of Atlas situated outside the Brookdale Health Spa.[3]
- The "Chef Thunderbird" equestrian statue atop the iconic Thunderbird Motel in Bloomington, Minnesota.[3]
- A full-scale train and locomotive display fabricated for the Ironhorse Bar in Crystal, Minnesota.[3]
- A massive stylized tree ornamenting the Midwest Savings building in downtown Minneapolis, alongside a giant eagle sculpted for Minnesota Federal.[3]
Regional and national fabrications
As his reputation grew, Johnson's fabrications were shipped far beyond the borders of Minnesota. He constructed a 6-foot-tall fiberglass Peacock for a lounge sign in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and a massive 12-foot-long pioneer scene in bas-relief for the Grand Pacific Hotel in Bismarck, North Dakota.[3]
Later in his career, Johnson shifted his focus toward ultra-realistic botanical and biological replication. Utilizing steel substructures wrapped in molded fiberglass, he perfected methods for mirroring natural textures like bark, stumps, boulders, and animal skulls. This expertise culminated in his commission to build massive 48-foot steel and fiberglass Douglas Fir tree replicas for Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.[2][3] He also fabricated a 40-foot Stroh's beer bottle for a display in Detroit, Michigan.[3]
Later life and legacy
Johnson's career spanned over six decades. Even into his 90s, he remained active in the local arts community, exhibiting smaller fine art pieces at the Robbin Gallery in Robbinsdale.[3] He died in Robbinsdale on April 20, 2016 [4] at the age of 94.[2]
While many of his commercial works disappeared due to corporate restructuring and redevelopment, several remaining pieces have been preserved by local historical societies and roadside preservationists as classic examples of the golden age of American 3D advertising.[2]
See also
- Muffler Men
- Roadside America
- Rodman Shutt Fiberglass sculptor from Strasburg, Pennsylvania
- Richard Kishel Another sculptor and educator from Muncie, Indiana
- Paul N. Domke Sculptor from Ossineke, Michigan.
- William "Bill" Swan Giant sculptor from California.
References
- ↑ Findagrave https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/243918988/robert-william-johnson
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Palmer, Ruth (May 18, 2016). "Twin Cities Billboard Artist Bob Johnson Dies at 94". Star Tribune.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 "Bob Johnson Made It Bigger". Robbinsdale Historical Society. Retrieved July 6, 2026.
- ↑ Facebook https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/243918988/robert-william-johnson
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