Thomy Lafon Sculpture, (sculpture).

Thomy Lafon Sculpture, (sculpture).

Hastings, Jack, 1925-2013, sculptor.

Thomy Lafon Sculpture, (sculpture).

Playground Sculpture, (sculpture).

Climbing Sculpture, (sculpture).

Digital Reference:

Sculpture: reinforced concrete and white cement coating with marble aggregate; Foundation: concrete.

Overall: 6 ft. 3 in. x 8 ft. 5 in. x 9 ft. 11 in.

This sculpture cast in place is a considered a free form concrete sculpture, fabricated first of a metal armature which consists of a steel rebar covered with a metal mesh. The core is a solid piece of concrete. Two or more coats of a white cement and a mixture with marble aggregate cover the metal mesh. There is a theme emerging from the abstraction of the human figure, inspired perhaps by Henry Moore's family group sculptures of the 1950s. The Thomy Lafon sculpture seems to represent a family group including a pet, all connected by undulating forms, pierced with hollow spaces. The smooth rounded forms offer a safe playground. This free form modernistic sculpture complements the architecture of the Thomy Lafon Elementary School and is integrated in its design. The school's outdoor concrete ramp leading to the second floor wraps around a grassy playground area and encloses the sculpture, while defining the playground space. According to sculptor Jack Hastings' statement made in September of 2010 about this work: "The Thomy Lafon Sculpture was conceived as a playground sculpture, i.e. sculpture designed to play on."

Outdoor Sculpture -- Louisiana -- New Orleans

Administered by State of Louisiana, Department of Education, Recovery School District, 1641 Poland Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana 70117

Formerly located Thomy Lafon Elementary School, 2601 Seventh Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70115

IAS files contain a detailed description of dimensions.

The Thomy Lafon Elementary School was demolished in 2011.

"The sculpture is part of the playground of the Thomy Lafon Elementary School, named for a prominent New Orleans American free person of color born in 1810. He rose from humble origins to become one of the wealthiest Afro-Americans in the nation after the Civil War and a civic leader. His fortune was based in real estate and business ventures. The Thomy Lafon School was the first school built in 1952-54 for Afro-American children in 13 years, still under the Jim Crow laws of the South, separated but equal. It was the first school designed in the International Style in New Orleans by architectural firm of Curtis and Davis. It was Jack Hastings' first collaboration with this architectural firm. The sculptor, living today in Sewanee TN, graduated from Louisiana State University, and continued his studies at the National School of Painting and Sculpture in Mexico, where he observed Diego Rivera at work. This experience led him to understand the relationship of art to architecture, where he focused his work upon his return. Jack Hastings has exhibited work at art galleries in New York and Tennessee. He has received numerous awards and his work is part of many collections. The Thomy Lafon School will be demolished, but the sculpture will remain on site which will become a community green space. Note: the school was built on a former cemetery which still has approximately 2,000 bodies buried since the 19th century."

Rausche, Yolita, 2010.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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