Merton D. Simpson

Merton D. Simpson grew up in Charleston, South Carolina. He battled with various illnesses throughout his youth and spent much of his time in bed. To pass the time Simpson developed his artistic interest by drawing his favorite cartoon characters and eventually moving on to copying images from art magazines and journals. Impressed by Simpson’s ability, artist William Halsey tutored him for years in the 1940s before Simpson moved to New York in 1949 to attend New York University.

Like many in the 1950s, Simpson was inspired by the Abstract Expressionists and his painting technique grew more abstract and gestural. During this time he also developed an interest in collecting African art and artifacts and in 1954 he established the Merton D. Simpson Gallery in New York. Simpson’s gallery became a premier destination for collectors and artists and he assisted institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art in establishing their collection of African art.

In the 1960s, Simpson was part of the Spiral group alongside artist like Charles Alston, Romare Bearden, and Reggie Gammon. The Spiral group was a unique collective in that they were neither united by esthetics nor the purpose of exhibiting together. Instead, the group was formed discuss and address how black artists should and could respond to the changing political and cultural landscape during the civil rights movement. As a result of his involvement with this group, Simpson’s work became more political.