Philip Simmons (June 9, 1912 - June 22, 2009) is an American art expert and blacksmith who specializes in iron crafts. Simmons spent 78 years as a blacksmith, focusing on decorative iron work. When he started his career, the blacksmith in Charleston made practical, everyday household items, like horse shoes. By the time he retired 77 years later, the craft was regarded as an art form rather than a practical profession.
Examples of Simmons' works, including iron gates, can be seen throughout the city of Charleston, South Carolina, as well as throughout South Carolina Lowcountry. His works are on display at the Smithsonian Museum, the South Carolina Museum, and even Paris, France, and China.
Video Philip Simmons
Biography
Philip Simmons was born on June 9, 1912 on Daniel Island, South Carolina. He was raised by his grandparents, before being sent to Charleston in 1920 to live with his mother when he was 8 years old. Simmons lives on Vernon Street and enrolled at the school at Buist Elementary School, now known as the Buist Academy. Later in his life, Simmons would design and create the iron arch that now stands at the entrance of the school.
Simmons became interested in the craftsmen who lived in his neighborhood, and soon began to visit various workshops near his home. In particular, Simmons became interested in a blacksmith on Charlotte Street run by Peter Simmons, who had nothing to do with Philip. Phillip Simmons immediately quit school and started his apprenticeship with Peter Simmons, a former slave, when he was 13 years old. He became a full-time blacksmith when he was 18 years old, after a five-year apprenticeship.
Simmons began working with decorative and decorative iron in 1938 at his blacksmith shop.
In the early 1940s, Simmons began working with a Charleston entrepreneur named Jack Krawcheck. Krawcheck assigned a wrought-iron gate to the back of his shop, located on King Street. However, Simmons had to make a gate of scrap metal because iron demand during World War II made it impossible to get a new iron. This is the first iron gate that Simmons made and delivered to customers. The Krawcheck family will eventually get over 30 pieces of iron from Simmons during his career.
Although he began working on ornamental iron in 1938, the Krawcheck gate marked a turning point in Simmons' career as an iron craftsman. During his seven-decade career, Simmons created more than 500 separate sections, including iron balconies, window grilles, fences, and gates. For example, Simmons faked and designed five iron gates along Stolls Alley in Charleston alone.
Simmons also created smaller metal objects to supplement his income, including tools, shutter dogs and smoker fireplaces. In 1970, Simmons created a rather unusual cup holder for Volvo, which was made from a coat hanger.
Much of his work was made in his workshop at his home on Blake Street.
Recognition
John Michael Vlach, a writer and professor of American studies at George Washington University, writes the biography of Simmons and his work in a 1981 book entitled, "Charleston Blacksmith, The Work of Philips Simmons." The book was re-released as a second edition that was updated eleven years later. In a separate essay titled "The Buildings of Charleston," Vlach later wrote about Simmons's career, "Early in his career he received an order, now he gives them... In the midst of his time-bound trade and even temporarily preserving Charleston's historic appearance, he remains his own man, he has found self-expression in communal tradition. "
The National Endowment for the Arts awarded Simmons with the National Heritage Fellowship in 1982. During his acceptance speech at the ceremony, which Simmons gave after the show by the blues group, Simmons commented, "My instrument is the foundation.I think some of you have heard me play... the song on the runway, the old blacksmith song.... I'm proud of that foundation, so proud... Anvil it feeds me when I'm hungry and the cloth wraps me up when I'm naked, the shoes are put on my feet. "
Although he officially retired at age 75, Simmons continues to teach his skills to young craftsmen at the end of his life. In 1991, Vestry church, the Reformed Episcopal Church St. John, formed the Philip Simmons Foundation, a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization to develop and maintain a memorial park on church ground as a tribute to people and their work. The church and gardens are located at 91 Anson Street in downtown Charleston, South Carolina.
A documentary about Philip's life entitled "Keeper of The Gate" won the 1995 South Emmy Award in the Cultural Documentary category. It was written and directed by David Flander. David and Philip made friendships during filming and remained friends. They will go to a local Charleston sporting event together, where Philip is often recognized in the stands by many of his fans.
Maps Philip Simmons
Awards
In 1982, Simmons received the National Heritage Fellowship of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), which is the highest honor the United States can award to a traditional artist. On January 31, 1994, he was inducted into the South Carolina Hall of Fame.
South Carolina Governor David Beasley conferred the Order of Palmetto, the state's highest honor, to Simmons in 1998. He was later awarded Governor Elizabeth O'Neill Verner's Award for "Life-long Achievement in Art" in May 2001. He was also honored by the South Carolina Legislature for his work.
List of awards
- 1982, National Endowment for the Arts, National Heritage Fellowship
- 1982, Lifetime Achievement Award, South Carolina General Assembly for "lifetime achievement" and commission for public sculpture by South Carolina Museum and Charleston city
- 1994, South Carolina Hall of Fame, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- 1998, Order of Palmetto, the highest civilian award given in South Carolina, by Governor David Beasley
- 2001, Elizabeth O'Neill Verner's Governor's Award for "Lifetime Achievement in the Arts"
Next life
Simmons moved from his home to the Bishop Gadsden Pensions Community in Charleston in the spring of 2008. He died there on June 22, 2009, at 9 pm. at the age of 97 years.
Simmons survived by his daughter, Lillian Gilliam; his son, Philip Simmons, Jr.; sister, Rebecca Comings; 16 grandchildren, and many great and great grandchildren.
References
External links
- National Endowment for the Arts - Lifetime award
- Listing from Charleston Area Convention & amp; Visitor Bureau
- David Flander Productions
- Collection of Philip Simmons at Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture
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Source of the article : Wikipedia
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