About the Artist

Henry J. Simonds (American, born 1975) is an artist, collector, curator, and filmmaker. He is the president of Headwater Films/Media, which he founded in 2001 to develop and finance independent documentary and narrative films and other media ventures. He has worked as a writer, editor, and producer on over a dozen films. As a visual artist, he works in photography, sculpture, and mixed media.

Artist's Statement

"In all my creative endeavors — whether as a filmmaker, curator, or visual artist — I consider myself to be an interpreter. Every person, place, or thing has its own genius, and, with the right approach and a little coaxing, their unique characteristics can be enhanced and, thus, celebrated. Like a bricoleur, I explore the potential in the mundane, everyday objects that surround me and feel compelled to repurpose them and put them to good use. In making a piece or body of work, there are two different but equally vital components to my process. The first is the appropriation or transformation of an object or image into an independent work of art. This stems from an immediate response to the unique aesthetic qualities of the source material. The second part is anthropological in nature. Using elements of taxonomy, informatics, and historical analysis, I hope to create additional platforms for viewers to engage with the work and provide context. Whether you choose to navigate the myriad layers of supporting material or simply admire the pieces themselves, you remain a participant in a singular, constructed act of expression."