Ikon, by Ted Rust

The sculpture above is named Ikon and was installed in 2001 in honor of the 100th anniversary of Overton Park. Ted Rust, the sculptor who created the piece, was director of the Memphis College of Art (in the background above) from 1949 to 1975.

Rust died in 2010 at the age of 99. WKNO FM has an obituary that mentions his successful integration of the school and his relocation of it to its current place in Overton Park. The Commercial Appeal obit notes that the school became accredited under his leadership and says, "Rust said he named the piece Ikon because it's a symbol of his love for Memphis, the park and the college - 'everything that has meant the most to me in the last half of my life.'".


This smaller, untitled piece is also on the MCA grounds.