MIA Magazine December 2015 Art of Black Miami | Page 8

8BB

AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MIA MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS GROUP TO MIAMI HERALD

By Zach Rinkins

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015

MIA Magazine Art of Black Cover Competition Winner Push 2060
Meet Troy Simmons: Accidental Artisan and Deliberate Messenger
Who is Troy Simmons? That question comes to mind when pondering the work,
style, and life of the Texas-native and current Bakehouse Art Complex resident
artist. Is he an artist, architect, realtor, or all three? From his handlebar
mustache, thoughtful conversation, to his eclectic
wardrobe, Simmons communicates
that he is so much more.
“I’m an artist, lover of
architecture, and husband,”
said Simmons.
Simmons has an
educational background in
Environmental Science and
Architecture. He ventured
into the art as a career by
accident.
“Unknowingly, all my
life I was an artist. I was always
creating things. But, I came
from a working class
background. So I was taught to
go to school and get a job,” the
physician’s son recalled. “A
friend of mine
saw my work
and
recommended I put
it into an art show.”
That was more than 15
years ago and allowed
Simmons to see art as a possible
career. These days the Sam
Houston State University-graduate is
represented by Jankossen
Contemporary Art (New York/
Basel, Switzerland). His works can
command up to $40,000 and
have been featured
throughout South Florida,
Texas, New York, Paris and
Germany.
Simmons recently
conversed with MIA
about the method
and
message behind his
craft.

WWW.TROYSIMMONSSTUDIO.COM
@TROYSIMMONSSTUDIO
Art of Black Miami Cover Competition Winner:
Push 2060
Medium: Concrete / Acrylic / Aluminum

Art Basel Galleries:
CONTEXT Art Miami
www.contextartmiami.com
Bakehouse - Studio #33 www.bacfl.org
Scope www.scope-art.com

Love: “I love to create things. Art, for
me, is about creating a shock value. I
just want to produce exciting work that
challenges people to think.”
Grind: “I’m usually up early in the
morning. I eat breakfast and go to the
studio and work on my ideas and
sketch. I typically do the physical work
between 9 p.m. through 4 a.m.”
Business: “I have representation.
They help me market, tour and sell my
works. Interested people can also come
to Troy Simmons Studio in Wynwood to
purchase my work.”
Inspiration: “I am inspired by nature
and how people interact with nature.
My work plays with man and nature a
lot. I love to depict the combination of
art and nature. I also use the brutalist
architecture style from the 1950’s that
includes a lot of concrete. They didn’t
cover the cement. They used it and
exposed it.”
Message: “Maybe my art is a type of
rebellion. I am rebelling against
ignorance. I am rebelling against
perceptions and stereotypes. It is
important for people to learn each
other and truly experience what the real
world is about.”
Experience more art at
www.TroySimmonsStudios.com