Lyon Twp. Lands in Trouble After Ordering Removal of Iconic Sculpture
In a surprising turn of events, Lyon Township is in a bit of a pickle. The cause? An argument between the local government and artist John Sauve over the removal of his sculpture.
The Infamous “Man in the City”
If you’ve passed through Lyon Township, you’ve probably seen it. A silhouette of a man with a hat, crafted out of steel and painted bright orange. Standing atop a hill in Atchison Park, this 20-feet tall statue has been waving at I-96 drivers for over a decade. Sad news for the art lovers, as this iconic art piece was recently cut down and ordered to be removed by the township officials.
The Unexpected Removal
Sauve, the creator of this metal giant, shared that he was not informed about the removal. He only noticed it being missing on one of his regular interstate drives. The artist was later informed through a letter, asking him to remove his artwork by the next week. The letter claimed that the sculpture had upset some residents who found it “inappropriate and frightening.”
Artist’s Displeasure
Sauve defended his artwork, stating that art is meant to stir up conversations. He showed disappointment in how the township approached the matter. He also emphasized that he wants to find the mid-ground to save his art from being cut into pieces.
The Unexpected Support
Here comes the twist! Not everyone in the township’s board agreed with the removal. Trustee Kristofer Enlow admitted that he was not even consulted about its removal. He spoke in favour of public art and considered the sculpture a good sight. In fact, he was unaware of the removal until it already happened.
Meanwhile, Sauve has already been offered to place his artwork in three other cities. He appreciates the welcoming gestures, but still wishes to see the ‘Man in the City’ standing on the Lyon hilltop where he envisioned it 25 years ago.
Stay tuned for more updates and let’s see if ‘Man in the City’ finds its way back to the hill or finds a new address.
Author: STAFF HERE NOVI WRITER
The NOVI STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENovi.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Novi, Oakland County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Motor City Comic Con, Michigan State Fair, and Novi Home and Garden Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Novi Chamber of Commerce and Novi Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in automotive, technology, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Gentherm, Stoneridge, and Daifuku North America. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENorthville.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
