Ommato, 1982

Tom Lear, (1947-2000)

Bronze Sculpture, (72" x 46" x 16")

Gift of Mrs. Jane Morton Norton

Tom Lear was a sculptor who lived and worked on Barrett Avenue in Louisville, Kentucky. Although it took him ten years to graduate, he finally received an art degree from the University of Louisville and declared himself a full-time sculptor in 1971. Although he is not a household name in Louisville today, this is likely because of his short illness and early demise at age 53. However, known philanthropist and artist, Jane Morton Norton, took Lear on as one of her protégés. The Norton Center at Centre college bears her name, and it was Tom Lear’s large sculpture, “Ex Astris” that added the final touch to the Norton Center. The subject property sculpture owned by the Kentucky Center was a gift of Jane Morton Norton. Lear’s other notable sculptures include the “Pole Star” or “North Star” at the James Graham Brown Cancer Center and “Big Red” on the Belknap Campus at the University of Louisville.

This piece is located in the Lexus Lounge