Summary
Edward Norton Hamilton Jr. (born February 14, 1947)[1] is an American sculptor living in Louisville, Kentucky, who specializes in public art. His most famous work is The Spirit of Freedom, a memorial to black Civil War veterans, that stands in Washington, DC, in the Shaw neighborhood near Howard University.[2] Hamilton has also created monuments dedicated to Booker T. Washington, Joe Louis, York (William Clark's manservant on the Lewis and Clark Expedition), and the slaves who revolted on La Amistad.[3]
Ed Hamilton | |
|---|---|
 Ed Hamilton at the June 2009 Abraham Lincoln Statue Dedication at Louisville Waterfront Park | |
| Born | Edward Norton Hamilton, Jr. February 14, 1947 |
| Nationality |  American |
| Education | Barney Bright |
| Known for | Sculpture |
| Notable work | Spirit of Freedom |
Biography edit
Ed Hamilton was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and raised in Louisville by Amy Jane (Camp) and Edward Norton Hamilton Sr.[3] He graduated from Shawnee High School (Kentucky) in 1965, then received a scholarship to Louisville's Art Center, where he studied sculpture and painting.[4] He graduated from the Louisville School of Art in 1969 and also studied at Spalding University[5] and started his teaching career in 1973 at Iroquois High School.[3]
Hamilton, originally a painter, had a chance meeting with Barney Bright – the sculptor responsible for the Derby Clock and the River Horse statue – that changed Hamilton's life.[3] Bright made Hamilton his apprentice, giving him a place to work and the opportunity to learn sculpting.[4] Since learning under Barney Bright, Hamilton has taught sculpture at Jefferson Community College and is a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
On December 16, 2004, Hamilton received a Doctor of Arts honorary Degree from the University of Louisville. Two days later, December 18, 2004, Hamilton received an Honorary Doctor of Arts Degree from Western Kentucky University.[4]
In 2006, Hamilton self-published an autobiography, The Birth of An Artist: a journey of discovery, in which he talked about his work and the creative process. The book was a popular feature of the Kentucky Book Fair in 2007. While working on the book, Hamilton, at age 57, discovered that he was adopted.[6]
In June 2009, Hamilton completed work on the memorial statue of Abraham Lincoln which is located near the base of the Big Four Bridge at the Waterfront Park in Louisville, Kentucky.[2]
Selected works edit
- Booker T. Washington (1983–84), Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia.[7]
- Joe Louis (1984–87), Cobo Center, Detroit, Michigan.[8]
- La Amistad Memorial (1990–92), City Hall, New Haven, Connecticut.[9]
- The Spirit of Freedom (1992–98), African American Civil War Memorial, 10th & U Streets NW, Washington, DC.[10]
- York (2003), Riverfront Plaza/Belvedere, Louisville, Kentucky.
- Abraham Lincoln (2009), Waterfront Park, Louisville, Kentucky.
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Hamilton, standing by his Lincoln statue (2009), Louisville, Kentucky.
See also edit
External links edit
- Hamilton's Official site
- Photos of The Spirit of Freedom, by Ed Hamilton at DC Photo Guide.
References edit
- ^ Ky.gov Great Blacks Kentuckians Archived March 31, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b "Louisville Artists.com - Ed Hamilton Famous Works". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2008-02-29.
- ^ a b c d The Encyclopedia of Louisville (John E. Kleber) Page 794 ISBN 0-8131-2100-0
- ^ a b c "Ed Hamilton Autobiography". Archived from the original on 2008-03-06. Retrieved 2008-02-29.
- ^ "Hamilton, ed · Notable Kentucky African Americans Database".
- ^ "Leo Book Review - Birth of An Artist". Archived from the original on 2008-05-15. Retrieved 2008-02-29.
- ^ Booker T. Washington from Flickr.
- ^ Joe Louis from Flickr.
- ^ La Amistad from Flickr.
- ^ The Spirit of Freedom from Flickr.