Merton Simpson


Merton Daniel Simpson was an American abstract expressionist painter and African and tribal art collector and dealer.

Early life

Merton D. Simpson was born in Charleston, South Carolina. Between the ages of six and eleven he spent much of his time in and out of hospitals receiving treatment for diphtheria and rheumatic fever. During this time he started to doodle and sketch to pass the time. His interest in art grew and he began drawing and sketching in earnest. At the age of 13 Simpson was discovered by local artist William Halsey who took Simpson under his wing. For the next four years, Halsey taught Simpson the basics of painting and introduced him to the concept of abstract art. Jean Robertson Fleming, another local artist, was also instrumental in discovering Simpson’s talent and helping him hone his skills.
In the midst of a still segregated South, Simpson was not allowed to take art classes at the city-run Gibbes Museum of Art where artist William Melton Halsey worked. Simpson frequently went in to privately work with his mentor Halsey. Simpson attended Burke High School in Charleston. After graduating in 1949 Halsey, his wife Corrie McCallum, and former director of the Charleston Museum Laura Bragg sponsored Merton D. Simpson’s first solo art show. Two receptions for the art show were held; "one for whites and one for whites who didn't mind coming to a reception with blacks."

Education

Simpson became the first African American to receive a prestigious five-year fellowship from the Charleston Scientific and Cultural Education fund and left South Carolina in 1949 for New York City after he finished high school. He attended New York University for the first year and got accepted by Cooper Union. He took classes at NYU during the day and Cooper Union at night. Simpson also got a job at the frame shop of Herbert Benevy. Many well-known artists came to the frame shop and in time critiqued Simpson's work and developed a relationship with him. At NYU Simpson became acquainted with Hale Woodruff, William Baziotes and Robert Motherwell. The New York School was also having its impact during that time and Merton D. Simpson came in close contact with Franz Kline, Max Weber and Willem de Kooning at the frame shop. Out of all the colleges Simpson attended in New York, he credited the frame shop for giving him his real education.

Air Force

Simpson enlisted in the Air Force in 1951 and went to Griffiss Air Force Base near Utica, New York for basic training. He did a portrait of base commander General Howell and assigned him to Special Service. Simpson also played in the Air Force Band, but was told that there was a greater need for artists. His title was official Air Force artist and he spent his time in service painting a number of military commanders including Chief of Staff General Nathan Farragut Twining and General Dwight D. Eisenhower who paid Simpson $100 for painting his portrait. When asked if he wanted to take a commission Simpson said that he wanted to go home to visit his ailing mother where he thought he would be of more use. His wish was granted. Some of his paintings are still on display in the Pentagon.

Simpson as artist and gallerist

After four years in the service, Simpson went back to NYU to resume his work. In 1951 his work appeared in an exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art and in 1954 his work was displayed in the Younger American Painters exhibition at the Guggenheim Museum. As his reputation grew his artwork made exhibitions at a number of galleries in New York City and even Washington, DC. By 1955 Simpson had a one-person exhibition at the Bertha Schaefer Gallery. As Simpson became more established in New York he also became interested in the School of Paris and established a residence in the capitol. The new environment had a clear and direct impact on his painting style which had been greatly shaped by the brush painters of the New York School. Simpson divided his time between Paris and New York where he set up his own gallery in the 1950s. The Merton D. Simpson Gallery of Modern and Tribal Arts is famous for its exceptional collection of Tribal arts, and for artworks by his contemporaries Romare Bearden, Beauford Delaney, Norman Lewis, Charles Alston, Hale Woodruff and John Biggers, among others.

The Spiral Group

Simpson was a member of the historic Spiral (arts alliance) which was formed by fellow artists and colleagues Romare Bearden, Charles Alston, Norman Lewis (artist), and Hale Woodruff on July 5, 1963. The purpose of Spiral was to gather African-American artists to discuss political and social issues, the Civil Rights Movement. The group was formed in part as a response to A. Philip Randolph's call for a "new visual order" that would be created in part by artists' contribution to the Black Freedom struggle. Members of the group worked together to obtain buses to travel to the March on Washington in 1963. The focus of the group shifted from a more explicit political trend to one that was more aesthetic and artistic. Bearden introduced Spiral members to collage work and the black and white artwork the group created reflected the political turmoil of the time. From July to October 2011, The Studio Museum in Harlem held an exhibition of selected works from the Spiral group members, including works by Mr. Simpson.

Confrontation series

The 1960s created yet another shift in Simpson's style. The social and political movements of the decade in general and the Harlem Riot of 1964 which Simpson witnessed firsthand had a particular impact on his painting. The artist responded by creating the "Confrontation" series of paintings which featured schematized black and white faces inter-meshed in an intense encounter. From November 2010 to April 2011, the Greenville County Museum of Art exhibited Mr. Simpson's "Confrontation" series and purchased works for their permanent collection. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-kdfbVZ8GU

African and tribal art dealer

Simpson was drawn to African and tribal art after seeing some sculptures that Paul Robeson, Julius Carl Clark, and Hale Woodruff had in their personal collections. Simpson purchased his first African carving in 1949. He learned much about African and tribal art by visiting the gallery of Julius Carlebach, a dealer in rare items. It was primarily Hale Woodruff's influence that drove Simpson's interest in African art. Simpson began collecting and dealing modern artists alongside the traditional indigenous works of art from Africa. His early art collection consisted of modern artists whose artwork was influenced by traditional African art such as Pablo Picasso, Amedeo Modigliani, Alberto Giacometti and Paul Klee. As his knowledge and experience in the field grew he eventually became known as one of the most prominent dealers of traditional African art in the world and the international art world at large. In the spring of 2016, the Fowler Museum held an exhibition titled “The Collector and the Dealer: Gifts of African Art from Jay T. Last and Merton D. Simpson” highlighting exceptional gifts Art donated by Jay T. Last and Merton D. Simpson who were long-time friends and collaborators.

Musician

Along with art, Simpson has always possessed a deep passion for music which has at times complemented his artwork. He learned to play the saxophone, tenor sax, clarinet and flute as a youth in Charleston. Simpson played with the famed Jenkins Orphanage Band. Later in life he played with various jazz groups, ensembles and musicians including George Coleman and Harold Mabern.

Personal life

Merton D. Simpson married Beatrice Houston, his childhood sweetheart from South Carolina in 1954. Merton D. Simpson and Beatrice had two sons, Merton Simpson Jr. born in 1954, and Kenneth Simpson, born in 1959. Merton and Beatrice Simpson divorced in 2008. He was survived by his two sons.

New York Times Obituary

On March 14, 2013, Bruce Weber wrote a comprehensive obituary and tribute honoring Merton D. Simpson and his many accomplishments.

Featured Exhibitions of Merton D. Simpson's original artworks