Russell Simmons
African Figure Head
Acrylic & mixed media on wood, 48 x 24 in., 2016
Russell Simmons
BIO
I have been an artist for more than 40 years. In the early part of my career, I did very little painting. Instead, I visited museums and galleries and studied the Washington Color School movement. That was, in fact, my introduction to and fascination with art. During those early years I think I learned to appreciate art for the sake of art. I am largely self-taught and for many years I regretted not having formal training. In retrospect however, I think that I gained a lot by trying one thing after the other until I found what I liked. To that end, I continue to try new and innovative painting techniques that allow me to be the most expressive person I can be.
I am a person who absolutely loves color and how different shapes affect color and its perception. I scramble often and sometimes that leads me to be able to quickly finish the work; at other times, however, it may take months to move a work along to the point where I think that it’s finished.
My first showing was in the 1970s at a Neighbors, Inc. show. I was thrilled to win an “Honorable Mention.” During the 1980s and 1990s, I did very little painting at all. In 2000, I decided that it was now or never. So I began to paint again and in October 2002, I had my first solo showing at the Wohlfarth Gallery in Washington DC. In April 2003, I had another successful show at the Sky Club in the Zanzibar restaurant. In March 2004, I had a solo show at the Millennium Arts Center in Washington DC. In 2005, I participated in the Duke Ellington School of the Arts 30/30 Show. In 2006, I had another solo show at the Wohlfarth Gallery in Washington DC. In 2009, I participated in “To Artist and an Author” at Pyramid Atlantic Gallery in Silver Spring, Maryland. In 2012, I participated in the “Eye, Skill and Imagination of the Artist” show in Chevy Chase, Maryland. In 2013, also participated in the Prince George’s Art Fair at the Statehouse in Annapolis Maryland. The three In 2014, I participated in “From the Ashes: Rebirth of the Human.” At the Pepco Edison Place Gallery in Washington DC. Sponsored by the Black Artist of DC, Inc. In 2015, I participated in “The Battle Of And For The Black Base Boy” at the Brentwood Arts Exchange in Brentwood Maryland In 2015, I participated in “Light of the Ancestors” at the Pepco Edison Place Gallery in Washington DC. This show was sponsored by the Black Artist of DC Inc. In 2003, Denise Barnes, a reporter for the Washington Times newspaper offered a story about my art.
I am a retired banker who is keenly aware of the social and economic injustices that exist in this country. A large part of my professional work was about improving the social and economic conditions of people in Washington DC. My career included working to provide housing and economic opportunities with the District of Columbia government as well as serving as a banker at Citibank and Riggs bank in Washington DC. I am married and have two children and two grandchildren.
Statement
"This work pays tribute to the ancestors and uses intense colors as a background."
I have been an artist for more than 40 years. In the early part of my career, I did very little painting. Instead, I visited museums and galleries and studied the Washington Color School movement. That was, in fact, my introduction to and fascination with art. During those early years I think I learned to appreciate art for the sake of art. I am largely self-taught and for many years I regretted not having formal training. In retrospect however, I think that I gained a lot by trying one thing after the other until I found what I liked. To that end, I continue to try new and innovative painting techniques that allow me to be the most expressive person I can be.
I am a person who absolutely loves color and how different shapes affect color and its perception. I scramble often and sometimes that leads me to be able to quickly finish the work; at other times, however, it may take months to move a work along to the point where I think that it’s finished.
My first showing was in the 1970s at a Neighbors, Inc. show. I was thrilled to win an “Honorable Mention.” During the 1980s and 1990s, I did very little painting at all. In 2000, I decided that it was now or never. So I began to paint again and in October 2002, I had my first solo showing at the Wohlfarth Gallery in Washington DC. In April 2003, I had another successful show at the Sky Club in the Zanzibar restaurant. In March 2004, I had a solo show at the Millennium Arts Center in Washington DC. In 2005, I participated in the Duke Ellington School of the Arts 30/30 Show. In 2006, I had another solo show at the Wohlfarth Gallery in Washington DC. In 2009, I participated in “To Artist and an Author” at Pyramid Atlantic Gallery in Silver Spring, Maryland. In 2012, I participated in the “Eye, Skill and Imagination of the Artist” show in Chevy Chase, Maryland. In 2013, also participated in the Prince George’s Art Fair at the Statehouse in Annapolis Maryland. The three In 2014, I participated in “From the Ashes: Rebirth of the Human.” At the Pepco Edison Place Gallery in Washington DC. Sponsored by the Black Artist of DC, Inc. In 2015, I participated in “The Battle Of And For The Black Base Boy” at the Brentwood Arts Exchange in Brentwood Maryland In 2015, I participated in “Light of the Ancestors” at the Pepco Edison Place Gallery in Washington DC. This show was sponsored by the Black Artist of DC Inc. In 2003, Denise Barnes, a reporter for the Washington Times newspaper offered a story about my art.
I am a retired banker who is keenly aware of the social and economic injustices that exist in this country. A large part of my professional work was about improving the social and economic conditions of people in Washington DC. My career included working to provide housing and economic opportunities with the District of Columbia government as well as serving as a banker at Citibank and Riggs bank in Washington DC. I am married and have two children and two grandchildren.
Statement
"This work pays tribute to the ancestors and uses intense colors as a background."
- Russell Simmons
Washington, District of Columbia
Washington, District of Columbia
