Artist Grant Alma Wolsey refuses to dismantle the 33-year-old yellow Maytag machines that lie in the parking lot of the All-Star Laundromat at 220 S. 700 East, saying the T-shaped sculpture represents a view of the Christian trinity.

Wolsey erected the sculpture - he says it stands for God the father, God the son and God the mother - with fellow artist Jason Crapo on Mother's Day. He was asked to take it down four days later when the city determined it was dangerous.

Wolsey brought the tower to the ground, but has yet to take it apart, saying city leaders have desecrated his tribute to "heavenly mother."

"I'm a little upset government gets involved at all," Wolsey said. "It was very miserable to have the government force us to put heavenly mother's face in the mud."

Since he was told to lower the religious monument, Wolsey and supporters have gathered around the fallen structure on several occasions to light candles, sing hymns, fast and mourn.

Gary McGinn, director for Provo's community-development department, said the religious significance was irrelevant since the structure was unsafe.

McGinn said only four, 4-inch bolts attached the washing machines to the asphalt and a strong gust of wind or local children climbing on it could have brought it down.

"You could have the David [Michelangelo's statue] out there, and if it's not safe, and could fall off the pedestal, you've got to take the thing down," McGinn said. "You can have religious beliefs and build a church, but the church still has to meet code."

An administrative court hearing in May allowed for Wolsey to seek an attorney and an engineer who could determine whether his "Holy Trinity" creation is structurally safe. Wolsey said his engineer has yet to have a chance to review the sculpture.

Last week, Provo police met up with the artist and asked him to remove the piece or they would have to cite him for breaking city code.

On July 20, Wolsey was not only issued a notice of violation for having the appliances out on the property, but was also cited for living in an illegal caretaker dwelling and not having a business license for the Laundromat.

He and landowner Jerry Cooper have until Tuesday to correct the violations or they will be fined $40 for each violation per day until they comply.

Wolsey on Wednesday appealed the violation notice and is now waiting for a response from the hearing examiner.

Salt Lake attorney Lee Anne Walker, an old college friend, learned about Wolsey's situation from a May newspaper article and has offered to help him find a resolution.

"I know this is not just a circus-level publicity stunt," Walker said. "There are constitutional protections there. He needs some help. Whether people agree with him or not or whether he's a nut or not, there are things like freedom of religion and freedom of speech."

Wolsey said if Provo officials tried to force local Catholics to drag a statue of the Virgin Mary through the mud it would be a huge First Amendment controversy nationwide. He sees his situation being no different, just on a smaller scale.

"Dumping on one small religious group of artists is dumping on all America," he said.

Wolsey spoke with city leaders Wednesday and submitted a letter to Provo Mayor Lewis Billings asking him to repair the damage he has done to the artist's creation.

The city's McGinn said the mayor wasn't aware of Wolsey's sculpture until after it was pulled down.

thollingshead@sltrib.com