Tommy Simpson, an Asheville-based artist, is internationally renowned. A self-proclaimed "imaginist," Simpson transcends conventional boundaries of craftsmanship, fine art, and whimsy. This solo exhibit is a tribute to his prolific sixty-five-year career, encapsulating his creative evolution and mastery across diverse mediums such as woodworking, painting, printmaking, clay, rug design, and prose.
Simpson’s solo show includes folky, figurative sculptures, whimsical wooden furniture, clocks, vibrant abstract paintings on carved panels, ceramics, woven rugs, and sculpture. Words feature prominently in Simpson’s furniture and poetic works – his showcase will be uniquely bound together by written expressions.
Simpson’s influence extends beyond gallery walls, with seven published books to his credit and the unique honor of being featured on two US postage stamps. A significant publication with over 200 photos, curated by Oscar P. Fitzgerald – author, historian, and authority on American furniture – is currently in the works, offering an in-depth exploration of Simpson's impactful contribution to the world of art.
Simpson’s works find a permanent place in prestigious museum collections, including the American Craft Museum in New York, the NY Museum of Art and Design, the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, the Boston MFA, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and Connecticut’s Wadsworth Atheneum and New Britain Museum of American Art. His works are in the public collections of Playboy, Inc., Boston Public Library, Brown University Library, Harvard Fine Arts Library, and more.
