Patterson Sims

by hcartstudent

Patterson Sims is the curator of Willie Cole’s current exhibition “Complex Conversations”, this is his third time curating for Willie Cole. Sims is a an independent curator and president of Independent Curators International. He has worked in art since 1969 and has a long list of accomplishments including organizing many solo exhibitions of artists including Ellsworth Kelly, John Storrs, Jan Matulka, Viola Frey, Fred Wilson, Claire Zeisler, Willie Cole, and Hedda Sterne. One thing that was surprising for me about Sims was that he didn’t just arrange the artwork but he knew it thoroughly along with knowing the artist himself very well. Sims was able to go through the different meanings and influences of each piece in relation to the artist’s personal and professional life.

He even went digging through Cole’s studio and picked out a “rare” preparatory sketch (something not normally in Willie’s artistic process) to hang in the show. Not only did he have a keen eye for picking out art he also was skilled at helping the students understand the pieces. He talked about the materials and influences in an easy to understand format.

Perhaps even more admirable than Sim’s skill was his humility. He continuously commented when asked about his career that he was on his way to retirement to give other young people a chance to have jobs. He said that the people in need were much more important than whether or not he curated more.

-Emma Brittain