Buster Simpson

2009 Honoree - Public Art Network Award

Biography

The Seattle-based artist has been making intelligent, provocative, entertaining, and challenging public artworks for more than 30 years. Recent commissioned projects include Whole Flow in Pasadena, CA; Instrument Implement: Walla Walla Campanile in Walla Walla, WA; Ice Blade in Richmond, BC, Canada; and Parable in Seattle, WA.  Beckoning Cistern, part of a nine block high density urban watershed project in Seattle, was selected for the Public Arts Network's Year in Review in 2004. He holds a master's degree from the University of Michigan.

"He has never wavered from caring about and addressing critical environmental issues in all kinds of settings with a completely unique personal voice and style. Buster has been 'green' long before anyone really knew what that meant. He is a brilliant thinker, highly original artist, and treasured member of the country’s public art community," wrote Eloise Damrosch, executive director of Portland's Regional Arts & Culture Council, in nominating Simpson for the award.