Westwood Gallery NYC announces with deep sadness the passing of beloved friend and artist, Danny Simmons (1953-2026).
Danny was an arts visionary and a creative force. A celebrated visual artist, writer, poet, philanthropist, civic leader, collector, and unwavering supporter of artists and arts communities, he dedicated his life to advancing culture, fostering opportunity, and inspiring others through his work and generosity.
For decades, Danny championed the transformative power of the arts, using his voice, resources, and influence to uplift emerging artists, strengthen communities, and spaces of creativity. In both New York and Philadelphia, his dynamic influence has created an art movement that will endure.
The eldest of the influential Simmons brothers (Russell and Joe 'Rev Run'), whose contributions helped shape contemporary American culture through music, media, and the arts, Danny forged his own distinctive path as a leading voice in visual art and advocacy. As the founder of Neo-African Abstract Expressionism, co-founder of the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, and co-creator of Def Poetry Jam, he helped shape contemporary conversations around art, culture, and creative expression.
Danny’s artwork was exhibited nationally and internationally, most recently in the museum exhibition The Journey to Everything at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum in Baltimore, MD and the Houston Museum of African American Culture. A current exhibition at The Butler Institute of Art, Youngstown, OH focuses on a new series of mixed media prints (through July 25, 2026), and an upcoming fall exhibition at Westwood Gallery NYC will include his last works, Sept 10 - Nov 7, 2026.
His legacy lives on through his artwork, his writing, the institutions he helped build, and the countless lives he touched as a mentor, advocate, and friend. We join his family, friends, colleagues, and admirers around the world in mourning his loss and celebrating a remarkable life devoted to artistic expression, social impact, and human connection.
Danny Simmons is survived by his wife, Keia, his son Jamel, and his grandson, his brothers Russell Simmons (Ming Lee, Aoki Lee) and Joe ‘Rev Run’ Simmons (Vanessa, Angela, Joseph, Daniel, Russell, and Miley Justine). "Danny Simmons was a visionary who spent his life elevating others, often with his own immense talent in the background.
"Working closely with Danny as his gallery representative, our mission has been to bring his artwork to the forefront of the contemporary art world. It is a profound privilege to witness his creative genius finally receiving its due through museum exhibitions and public recognition. We lost a dear friend, but his artistic legacy is permanently etched into history.”
– James Cavello and Margarite Almeida, co-owners, Westwood Gallery NYC)
