Baltimore, Maryland – The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture, in partnership with Westwood Gallery NYC, is proud to announce the opening of “The Journey to Everything,” a solo exhibition by renowned artist Danny Simmons. This collection of works from 2021 to 2024 will be on display from October 18 to December 15, 2024, in the DeSousa Gallery of the museum (830 E. Pratt Street | Baltimore, MD 21202).
Simmons, a visionary artist and founder of the Neo-African Abstract Expressionism movement, brings together a curated selection of his recent paintings, works on paper, and assemblage pieces, each deeply inspired by African culture and spirituality. In addition to his own works, the exhibition will feature a display of tribal objects from Simmons’ personal collection, allowing visitors to explore the African cultural elements that have fueled his creativity.
The exhibition’s title, “The Journey to Everything,” reflects Simmons’ exploration of cultural history and symbolism. His pieces incorporate African motifs, textiles, and markings, blending modern and traditional elements to tell stories of diaspora, spirituality, and human connection. Notable works include “A Uphill Climb” (2022), a twelve-foot mixed media painting integrating Ghanaian Kente, Malian mud cloth, and vibrant patterns, and “Long Way Home” (2023), where fabric bridges two canvases as a passageway between worlds.
A highlight of the exhibition, “Nappy Headed Witches and Grandma’s Duppy” (2024), explores themes of ancestry and spirituality through African fabrics and figurative abstractions, invoking the presence of spirits and connecting African and Caribbean cultural traditions.
“The Journey to Everything” is curated by James Cavello and coordinated by Reginald F. Lewis Museum staff. This exhibition has been made possible with the generous support of The Roberts Family Fund.
Danny Simmons, also a Tony Award-winning co-founder of Def Poetry Jam, continues to make significant contributions to the art world through his work and philanthropic efforts. His pieces have been exhibited nationally and internationally and are held in major institutions, including the Brooklyn Museum and The Smithsonian.
WEB: Danny Simmons | The Journey to Everything
The Mission of the Reginald F. Lewis Museum:
The Reginald F. Lewis Museum documents, interprets and preserves the complex experiences, contributions and culture of Black people in Maryland. We serve as a catalyst for sustained change by providing programs, exhibitions and bold conversations that educate and challenge.
