Hamilton, Ed

Date:
2016-04-11
Length:
55 minutes
Interviewer:
Cunningham, Wesley Sawyer
Transcription available:
no
Series:
Black Arts in Louisville
Series ID:
2017_074
Interview Number(s):
2017_74_1
Summary:
Louisville sculptor Ed Hamilton talks about his upbringing as the adopted son of a tailor (father) and barber (mother). He discusses the influential moments he had attending different schools and the teachers who encouraged him to pursue art. He attended art school at UofL and became involved with the Louisville Art Workshop. He formed a particularly close bond with G.C. Coxe who acted as a mentor and friend. A pivotal moment in Hamilton's life occurred when he met sculptor Barney Bright and began to work as his apprentice. He notes this time as being transitory, and afterwards, opportunities began to open up. He eventually achieved international recognition, sculpting pieces such as The Spirit of Freedom in Washington, D.C.
Topic(s):
African American artists