Queens artist exhibits African Art

Well-known abstract painter and sculptor Daniel “Danny” Simmons, Jr. is finding his way home to Queensborough Community College (QCC) in Bayside – for an exhibition of his work.
“House of The Spirit” showcases original oil paintings and mixed media projects, as well as Simmons’s collection of African Art – including sub-Saharan religious art – that inspired his works.
The exhibit, in the QCC Art Gallery at 222-05 56th Avenue in Bayside, runs through May 7.
“Our entire community – especially our students – will enjoy his vibrant form of artistic expression,” said Faustino Quintanilla, Curator of the QCC Art Gallery.
“His passion for the rich tradition of African art, contrasted with his playful approach to painting . . . compliment our permanent African Art collection nicely,” Quintanilla said.
“This exhibit is the first public showing of my entire African art collection, which is very precious to me,” Simmons said.
Simmons is the co-founder and chairman of Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, which provides disadvantaged youth with arts access and education. He also founded Rush Arts Gallery and the Corridor Gallery for aspiring artists.
“I went to Cardozo High School and spent a lot of time at Queensborough, so it is an honor to return years later and be recognized for my art,” he said.
He and his brother, music mogul Russell Simmons, established Def Poetry Jam, a long-running series on HBO. He is also the author of Three Days as the Crow Flies, a fictional account of the 1980s art scene, and I Dreamed My People Were Calling But I Couldn’t Find My Way Home.
“Knowing the QCC Art Gallery has the third most important African art collection in New York City, next to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Brooklyn Museum, is astounding,” Simmons said. For more information, visit www.qcc.cuny.edu.
– Victor G. Mimoni