Montrose

This statue honors Isaac Lewis who rode Montrose in 1887 to win the Kentucky Derby.

This is one of the 11 Gallopalooza statues sponsored by Louisville Tourism, commemorating African American horsemen’s key role in building the foundation of horse racing.

About the Artist:

Ken Burney’s artistic journey began during his early years after a visit to The Detroit Institute of Art ignited a passion for art. He pursued his interest by studying graphic design, illustration, and film at the City College of San Francisco in the early 1980s. Over the years, Burney has taken on various creative roles, ranging from graphic designer and illustrator to muralist, tattoo artist, and teacher. He is currently focused on contemporary painting on canvas and is based in The Artists’ Village in Lexington, Kentucky, where he draws inspiration from the area’s vibrant arts community.

Burney’s work has been showcased in several prestigious venues, such as The Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center, the Richmond Area Arts Center, The Louden House, The Kentucky Artisan Center, and ArtHouse Kentucky. Notable projects in Burney’s portfolio include painting outdoor installations at Third Street and Midland Avenue in Lexington, painting Issac Lewis and thoroughbred Montrose, one of 11 Black jockey sculptures for Gallopalooza in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Kentucky Derby, and participating in a multi-media group show titled, “We…Meaning Black Men,” which is featured at the Lexington Public Library, The Lyric Theatre and Eastern Kentucky University.

artistkenburney.com