Sixteen artists have been commissioned to create original works for "Forged," a group exhibition at Drummond Studio Gallery honoring the legacy of Philip Simmons. Simmons was a master ironworker and blacksmith whose ornamental gates and balconies are definitive features of Charleston’s architectural landscape. The exhibition, which opens March 6, features local artists including Demetrius Bing, Riivo Kruuk, and Jonathan Green, and aims to highlight the cultural significance of the Simmons home and workshop.
This tribute serves as a critical effort to preserve African American artisanal history and the tradition of iron forging in the American South. Beyond its local cultural impact, the project has a philanthropic component; works from the show will be auctioned at the International African American Museum to benefit the restoration of historic Black churches. By connecting Simmons’ craftsmanship to broader African traditions, the exhibition emphasizes the role of visual art in maintaining community identity and architectural heritage.