The University of Tampa has unveiled—thanks to the generous philanthropy of Gene and Patsy McNichols—one of the world’s most famous sculptures: a six-foot “LOVE” sculpture by Robert Indiana. This iconic piece now resides on the lawn east of Plant Hall.
Described by the Museum of Modern Art as a Pop Art masterpiece, “LOVE” holds a timeless place in both the history of art and in the hearts of people globally. Robert Indiana first conceptualized this iconic design in 1964, with the inaugural “LOVE” sculpture being crafted from core-ten steel in 1970. Today, more than 50 versions of this iconic “LOVE” artwork are installed in cities across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Indiana’s distinctive tilting of the letter “O” not only forms a perfect square with the other letters but also serves as a reminder of the fragility of love.