Philip Simmons
Summary
TLDRPhilip Simmons, inducted into the South Carolina Hall of Fame in 1994, was a renowned blacksmith artist known for his wrought iron creations that adorned Charleston's cityscape. Born in 1912, his fascination with blacksmithing began at a young age, leading to a career where he transitioned from forging practical items to crafting intricate gates and railings. Simmons' work, marked by a unique scroll and influenced by nature and faith, earned him national recognition, including a commission by the Smithsonian Institute. His legacy, including the 'Philip Simmons Gate' at the South Carolina State Museum, stands as a testament to his artistry and contribution to South Carolina's heritage.
Takeaways
- ποΈ The South Carolina Hall of Fame, established in 1973 in Myrtle Beach, honors individuals who have significantly contributed to the state's heritage, history, and progress.
- π¨ Philip Simmons was a renowned artist known for his wrought iron work, which adorns many city spaces and is a distinctive part of Charleston's architectural fabric.
- πΆ Born in 1912, Simmons was raised by his grandparents on Daniel Island and was fascinated by blacksmithing from a young age.
- π¨ At 13, Simmons began his apprenticeship with blacksmith Peter Simmons, despite the initial reluctance of the blacksmith to take him in.
- π οΈ As automobiles became more common, the need for traditional blacksmith services decreased, leading Simmons to transition into repairing and creating iron gates and other decorative items.
- π‘ Simmons' craftsmanship was recognized for its quality, and he was approached by a businessman to create a unique gate, which marked a turning point in his career.
- π³ Simmons' work often incorporated elements of nature, including animals and plants, reflecting his love for the natural world.
- βοΈ His strong faith was also a significant influence in his work, with religious symbols often featured in his designs.
- π In 1976, Simmons was commissioned by the Smithsonian Institute to create a gate for the Festival of American Folklife in Washington, D.C., which was a significant recognition of his artistry.
- πΊ His most notable work, the 'Philip Simmons Gate,' is displayed at the South Carolina State Museum and combines elements that represent his home and artistic style.
- π In recognition of his contributions, Simmons was inducted into the South Carolina Hall of Fame in 1994 and received the Order of the Palmetto in 1998, the state's highest honor.
Q & A
When was the South Carolina Hall of Fame founded and where is it located?
-The South Carolina Hall of Fame was founded in 1973 and is located in Myrtle Beach.
What is the purpose of the South Carolina Hall of Fame?
-The purpose of the South Carolina Hall of Fame is to recognize and honor contemporary and past citizens who have made outstanding contributions to South Carolina's heritage, history, and progress.
Who is Philip Simmons and what is he famous for?
-Philip Simmons was a renowned artist known for his wrought iron work that graces city spaces and contributes to the unique Charleston building fabric.
Where was Philip Simmons born and raised?
-Philip Simmons was born in 1912 and raised by his grandparents on Daniel Island in Charleston, South Carolina.
What sparked Philip Simmons' interest in blacksmithing?
-Philip Simmons' interest in blacksmithing was sparked by passing a blacksmith shop owned by Peter Simmons on his way to school every day, where he was fascinated by the fire and the sounds of blacksmiths forging iron.
At what age did Philip Simmons start working with iron?
-Philip Simmons started working with iron at the age of 13, after persistently visiting the blacksmith shop and demonstrating his eagerness to learn.
What types of items did Simmons initially forge as a blacksmith?
-Initially, Simmons forged horseshoes, ice picks, wagon wheels, and hooks for the backs of wagons.
How did the advent of automobiles impact Simmons' blacksmith business?
-The advent of automobiles diminished the demand for blacksmith services, leading Simmons to start repairing ironwork such as gates and railings around Charleston.
What is a distinguishing trademark in Philip Simmons' wrought iron work?
-A distinguishing trademark in Philip Simmons' work is a tight, compact scroll, which is a result of the way he would pound the hammer onto the iron.
How did Philip Simmons' love of nature influence his work?
-Philip Simmons' love of nature influenced his work by incorporating elements such as animals like birds and snakes into his designs, which were not commonly seen in gates built centuries prior.
What is the significance of the gate created by Simmons for the Smithsonian Institute?
-The gate created by Simmons for the Smithsonian Institute, known as the Star and Fish Gate, is significant because it demonstrates his ability and craftsmanship, especially considering he had less equipment to work with at the time.
In what year was Philip Simmons inducted into the South Carolina Hall of Fame?
-Philip Simmons was inducted into the South Carolina Hall of Fame in 1994.
What is the significance of the Philip Simmons gate displayed in the South Carolina State Museum?
-The Philip Simmons gate in the South Carolina State Museum is significant as it represents the best example of his artistry, combining elements he loved and that represented his home, such as an egret, magnolia leaves, and a palmetto tree.
Outlines
π¨ The Life and Legacy of Philip Simmons
Philip Simmons, a renowned artist celebrated for his wrought iron work, was inducted into the South Carolina Hall of Fame in 1994. Born in 1912 and raised in Charleston, he was fascinated by blacksmithing from a young age, which led him to forge a career in this craft. Despite the decline in demand for blacksmith services with the advent of automobiles, Simmons pivoted to repairing and creating iron gates, window grilles, and railings. His exceptional craftsmanship, characterized by a unique scroll design and musical hammering technique, gained him recognition. Simmons' work was deeply influenced by nature and his faith, often incorporating elements like birds, snakes, and religious symbols. His contributions to Charleston's architectural landscape earned him the title of 'the king' from the local community. In 1976, he was commissioned by the Smithsonian Institute to create a gate for the festival of American Folklife, and in 1987, he completed his most notable work, the 'Philip Simmons Gate,' now displayed at the South Carolina State Museum. Simmons received the Order of the Palmetto, the state's highest honor, in 1998.
π‘ Charleston's Tribute to Philip Simmons
Philip Simmons passed away in 2009 at the age of 96, leaving behind a rich legacy in Charleston, where his art was deeply intertwined with the city's identity. His work not only adorned the cityscape but also became a symbol of Charleston's cultural heritage. Simmons was instrumental in shaping Charleston's image, contributing significantly to the city's pride and the state of South Carolina. His life and work stand as a testament to the importance of preserving and celebrating local art and craftsmanship.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘South Carolina Hall of Fame
π‘Philip Simmons
π‘Wrought Iron
π‘Blacksmith
π‘Charleston
π‘Artistry
π‘Gates
π‘Nature
π‘Order of the Palmetto
π‘South Carolina State Museum
Highlights
The South Carolina Hall of Fame was founded in 1973 to honor citizens who have contributed to the state's heritage, history, and progress.
Philip Simmons was recognized for his artistry in wrought iron, which adorns Charleston's city spaces.
Simmons was born in 1912 and raised by his grandparents on Daniel Island, Charleston, South Carolina.
His interest in blacksmithing began at a young age, influenced by a local blacksmith shop he passed daily.
At 13, Simmons began his apprenticeship under blacksmith Peter Simmons, despite no familial relation.
As automobiles became prevalent, Simmons transitioned from blacksmithing to repairing and creating ironworks.
His craftsmanship was recognized by Charleston businessman Jack Prochik, leading to a commission for a gate.
Simmons' work is characterized by a tight, compact scroll and a musical approach to hammering iron.
Nature and his faith influenced his designs, incorporating elements like animals and religious symbols.
The community regarded Simmons as a father figure, and a garden was named in his honor for his contributions.
In 1976, Simmons was commissioned by the Smithsonian Institute to create a gate for the National Mall.
His most notable work, the 'Star and Fish Gate,' was created during the Festival of American Folklife.
In 1987, Simmons completed the 'Philip Simmons Gate,' a testament to his artistry, displayed at the South Carolina State Museum.
Simmons was inducted into the South Carolina Hall of Fame in 1994 for his significant contributions.
He received the Order of the Palmetto in 1998, the state's highest honor.
Philip Simmons passed away in 2008 at the age of 96, leaving a legacy in Charleston's artistic and cultural landscape.
Charleston's community and institutions played a significant role in supporting and showcasing Simmons' art.
Transcripts
the South Carolina Hall of Fame was
founded in Myrtle Beach in 1973 to
recognize and honor contemporary and
past citizens who have made outstanding
contributions to South Carolina's
heritage history and progress
Philip Simmons was a great artist his
medium wrought iron that graces City
spaces a unique Charleston building
fabric Philip Simmons was born in 1912
and raised by his grandparents on Daniel
Island in Charleston South Carolina as a
child they would send Philip to school
in Charleston which was only accessible
by ferry at the age of eight Simmons was
sent to live with his mother in
Charleston and was enrolled at beust
Academy walking to school every day
Simmons would pass by a blacksmith shop
owned by Peter Simmons
mr. Simmons was no relation to Philip
but the bright fire and the banging
sounds of blacksmiths forging iron
fascinated Symons he would stop every
evening on his way going back home from
school and talk to mr. Peter and he said
boy you're too young to come in the shop
he went back every year and I was 13th
birthday he went running in there and he
couldn't wait to get started
Simmons would Forge horseshoes ice picks
wagon wheels and hooks for the backs of
wagons as years passed and automobiles
became more prevalent around Charleston
the demand for a blacksmith service
diminished bad so well I have to feed my
family one way so started repairing all
the iron were gates and stuff around
Charleston because they had a lot of
work around Charleston the quality of
his work did not go unnoticed
one day Charleston businessman Jack
prochik approached Simmons with an
interesting proposition Zack crocks had
told him that he wanted him to make a
gate no mr. Jack I don't make gates I
repair it but the idea of creating a
gate stayed with Phillip Simmons at home
Simmons sketched out a design of a gate
he thought he could create for Krawczyk
well mr. Jack came back to the shop he
showed him music
yeah that's something I want it wasn't
long before Simmons was forging gates
window grilles and railings for many
homes around the holy city
Simmons craftsmanship and attention to
detail in his work is recognizable one
of the distinguishing trademarks in his
work is a tight compact scroll the way
he would pound the hammer on to me it
was musical instrument in the hands of
Phillip Simmons
Simmons love of nature also influenced
his work he began adding animals such as
birds and snakes into his designs images
such as animals didn't exist and gates
built in centuries prior his strong
faith in God can also be seen in the
work most notably in the gate at the
garden entrance behind his church a
garden that was named after Simmons in
honor of his contributions to his
community the children of the community
and the school saw him as a father and
uncle and they would call him the king
he was very humble like he couldn't
really ever believe that he was famous
or that what he did was exceptional in
1976 Simmons was commissioned by the
Smithsonian Institute to come to
Washington and create a gate during the
festival of American Folklife in front
of the Lincoln Memorial on the National
Mall the resulting work was the star and
fish gate an elaborate design in which
Simmons takes special pride I would say
that first Gators means means a lot to
me because it demonstrates my um
ability at first it because I had less
equipment to work with in 1987 Simmons
completed what is probably the best
example of his artistry
it is simply called the Phillip Simmons
gate and it is displayed in the South
Carolina State Museum
Simmons combined elements he loved and
that represented his home an Egret
magnolia leaves and a palmetto tree in
recognition of his contributions to
South Carolina Phillip Simmons was
inducted into the South Carolina Hall of
Fame in 1994 in 1998
Simmons received the state's highest
honor the order of the Palmetto Phillip
Simmons died peacefully in his hometown
of Charleston he was 96 years old
Phillip understood the importance of
having Charleston as a place where he
could display his art and so that's what
Charleston gave him was his backdrop for
his art we're proud of the importance of
Charleston to the state of South
Carolina and Phillip Simmons helped
shape that
you
you
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