DANNY SIMMONS
(b. 1953)

Artwork

For over four decades, Danny Simmons (b. 1953) has created paintings, works on paper, and assemblage informed by the spirit imbued in indigenous and African cultures. As the founder of the artistic movement Neo-African Abstract Expressionism, Simmons reclaims traditional African motifs used in modernism through his use of dots, textiles, and tribal markings. Simmons is an author, poet, philanthropist, curator, co-creator of Def Poetry Jam, and founder, along with his brothers, Russell Simmons and Joseph “Rev. Run” Simmons, of the renowned Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation. Through the non-profit organization, Rush Arts Gallery NYC and Rush Arts Philadelphia have served as important cultural hubs providing exhibitions, arts education and opportunities for hundreds of emerging, developing and underrepresented artists of color since 1995. Simmons is also a collector of contemporary art and African sculpture.

Portrait of artist Danny Simmons in an african textile shirt and bright orange glasses

Danny Simmons, 2022. Photograph by Todd Agostini.

Courtesy the artist and Westwood Gallery NYC.

His artworks are in private and museum collections including the Brooklyn Museum, Houston Museum of African American Culture, Montclair Art Museum, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art, The Smithsonian, Chase Manhattan Bank, United Nations, and other collections.

WESTWOOD GALLERY NYC is the exclusive worldwide representative for artist Danny Simmons.

For any inquiries regarding acquisition, artwork prices, or exhibition, please contact the gallery at info@westwoodgallery.com.

Artwork © Danny Simmons.

ARTWORK, 2021-2022
PAINTING AND FABRIC ASSEMBLAGE

Oil and fabric on canvas painting with interlocking beige circular scribbles on the right and rainbow organic and geometric patterns on the left over a red, dividing background.

Oil and fabric on canvas painting of blue, green, and yellow circular forms and geometric patterns interlocking and overlapping.

Oil and fabric on canvas painting with black circular pattern over a blue, red, and multicolor geometric background.

Black abstract painting with African inspired patterning and textiles incorporated into a trail that cascades onto the floor by Danny Simmons

Oil and fabric on canvas painting with orange scribbles over a black background, rainbow organic forms extending beyond the canvas.

Rectangular oil and fabric painting with multi-patterned and colorful textiles extending beyond the canvas.

Oil on fabric on canvas painting of abstracted orange, blue, yellow, pink, and red forms and geometric shapes composing a vertical and structural landscape.

Oil and fabric on canvas painting of scribbled forms radiating around a red blotch above a sea of brightly colored patterns.

Oil and fabric on canvas painting of multicolor scribbled shapes covering most of a gold background.

Oil and fabric on canvas painting of an orange branch form and floating purple, blue, and brown tinted shapes against a black, brown, and white-polka dotted background.

Oil and fabric on canvas painting with light beige lines radiating into blue background and green, red, and orange organic circular forms.

Oil and fabric on canvas painting of triangular and other geometric variations with multi-colored patterns against a blue gradient.

“My concept is to place spirit into the creation of my artwork much like indigenous artisans place spirit into inanimate sculpture. My technique is to paint in complete silence and isolation and hopefully allow intellect and spiritual influence to guide my painting.”
- Danny Simmons

Abstract painting on canvas with red, orange, and yellow circles, dots, and African motifs on a textile patterned background by Danny Simmons

Abstract painting on canvas with white, blue, and pink circles, dots, and African motifs on a textile patterned background by Danny Simmons

Abstract painting on canvas with white, black, green, and yellow circles, dots, and African motifs on a textile patterned background by Danny Simmons

Abstract painting on canvas with multicolored circles, dots, and African motifs on a textile patterned background by Danny Simmons

Abstract painting on canvas with brown and black circles, dots, and African motifs on a textile patterned background by Danny Simmons

DANNY SIMMONS (b. 1953)

ARTWORK, 2021-2022 PAINTING AND FABRIC ASSEMBLAGE ​

WORKS ON PAPER ​

DANNY SIMMONS
(b. 1953)

ARTWORK, 2021-2022
PAINTING AND FABRIC ASSEMBLAGE

WORKS ON PAPER