Local artist Troy Simmons has immersed himself in his latest artwork, exploring the
evolution of urbanism and nature’s persistence to coexist. A consistent theme, which echoes
true to his intense fascination with nature and modern Brutalist Architecture.
Under the direction of JanKossen Contemporary Art Gallery in Basel, Switzerland, Simmons will
showcase his new concrete work during a solo show at CONTEXT Miami Art Fair December
2nd-7th at booth #E75. He will also have several pieces on display at SCOPE Art Show Miami Beach.
His massive, large-scale concrete canvases are a mix of acrylic paints and raw materials. At first
glance, the magnitude of his work is clearly realized. Most of his pieces weight over 100
pounds. A rough and raw relationship often described as a cataclysmic illustration of urbanism.
Simmons calls his work a “re-incarnation of the Arte Povera genre” where the inclusion of
simple natural elements, such as wood and soil takes an integral part in the creation of the art.
His intended goal is to create a playful mix of the hard and soft, expressing the ideological
perceptions of binary relationships
Rochi Llaneza, Former Executive Director of Hardcore Contemporary Art, curated his first show
in Miami in 2009. She says, “Creating an algorithm of inspired imagery, Simmons’ connection to
his ecological charged pieces is clearly reflected in his use of re-purposed materials.”
The inspiration behind his latest collection evolved after a recent trip to Germany. He spent
time with his wife’s family exploring Baden-Württemberg in the southern part of the country.
The postwar architecture is a fragmentation of Germany’s traditional heritage mixed with
simple modern construction.
Simmons currently works as a full-time artist, but his educational background is in Architecture
and Environmental Science. He studied at Sam Houston State University and worked as an
Environmental Lab Technician in Houston, Texas. He later went on to Oklahoma State
University and earned a degree in Architectural Design.
Simmons is a Resident Artist at the Bakehouse Artist Complex in Miami’s Wynwood Art District.
Sample of his current work at www.TroySimmonsStudio.com.
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