The Utah Museum of Fine Arts (UMFA) has completed the installation of Robert Indiana’s “LOVE” sculpture (red outside, blue inside)—an iconic 20th-century American artwork on the museum’s south lawn near South Campus Drive.
One of the most recognizable works of art in the world, “LOVE” is now a permanent part of the UMFA’s collection of over 22,000 artworks and is expected to serve as a new cultural landmark at The University of Utah and for the state of Utah.
“UMFA plays a vital role in advancing the university’s academic mission and serving the broader community,” said University of Utah President Taylor Randall. “The installation of ‘LOVE’ invites inquiry, dialogue and creative exploration and reflects our commitment to making world-class art accessible to everyone.”
The effort to bring the $4.5 million sculpture to campus was initiated by university donors and state leaders in part to highlight the role the UMFA plays as Utah’s public art museum.
“It’s truly thrilling that the acquisition of this amazing artwork has come to fruition,” said Gretchen Dietrich, the Marcia and John Price executive director of the Utah Museum of Fine Arts. “It’s the UMFA’s mission to connect people with art in ways that inspire curiosity and conversation and bring people together across time, geography and difference. And ‘LOVE’ is now a highlight of the UMFA’s permanent collection.”
At the Feb. 7 celebration, Dietrich credited the tenacity of Jonathan Freedman, CEO of the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and a former advisory board member of the UMFA, in the effort. Bringing “LOVE” to the university was made possible through a combination of state support and private funding, ensuring that maintenance, conservation, security and long-term stewardship were built into the acquisition from the outset, treating the sculpture as a public art investment for future generations.
Donors include:
- The State of Utah
- The Coburn Family Trust
- The John and Marcia Price Foundation
- O.C. Tanner Company
- The George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation
- Zions Bank
- A gift in honor of Scott and Jesselie Anderson from The Larry H. and Gail Miller Family Foundation
First created in the 1960s, Indiana’s “LOVE” has come to symbolize connection, unity and shared humanity across generations and cultures. Its installation at UMFA places this powerful message where it will be experienced daily by students, faculty, staff and visitors from across Utah and beyond.
There are 86 iterations of Indiana’s “LOVE” sculptures, but only nine were produced in the 12-by-12-by-6-foot parameters of the university work. The sculpture was located on the corner of 55th Street and 6th Avenue in New York City for more than 20 years. The sculpture was acquired through Christie’s when it became available for sale in 2024.
President Randall and donor former trustee Steven Price co-wrote a piece in The Deseret News explaining the initiative.
Randall noted there are two main emotions motivating us—love and fear. Starting with a quiz of pop songs about love—including hits by the Beatles, the BeeGees, Neil Diamond and Taylor Swift—he urged those gathered to choose love.
“It’s the role of this institution to create positive change,” Randall said. “To have a statue that screams love in the midst of often chaos, division and arguments, it puts our priority, both as a society and as an institution, in perspective. Love should be the great motivator.”
The UMFA is one of Utah’s leading cultural institutions, serving students, scholars and communities statewide. Through exhibitions, public programs and permanent installations like “LOVE,” the museum advances the university’s mission of education, research and public service.
