Vollis Simpson: The Windmill Man Who Created Art From Scrap
Vollis Simpson transformed ordinary junkyard materials into extraordinary moving sculptures that captured the imagination of the art world. A self-taught artist who began his most famous works after retiring at age 65, Simpson created massive kinetic sculptures known as "whirligigs" that turned the night sky of North Carolina into a dazzling display of light and motion.
Born in 1919 in eastern North Carolina, Simpson's early life gave little indication of his future as an artist. During World War II, he served in the Army Air Corps, where he first demonstrated his mechanical ingenuity by building windmills to power washing machines on Saipan. After the war, he operated a machinery repair shop and worked in house moving – practical experiences that would later influence his artistic creations.
Simpson's whirligigs were engineering marvels made from salvaged industrial parts, road signs, bicycles, and any other materials he could find. Some reached heights of 50 feet, adorned with reflectors from old road signs that created spectacular light shows at night as the structures moved in the wind. Each piece was carefully balanced and engineered to spin, twirl, and dance with the slightest breeze.
What made Simpson's work particularly remarkable was his intuitive understanding of physics and engineering principles despite having no formal training. He created complex counterbalance systems and used ball bearings from junked cars to ensure smooth movement in his massive sculptures. His artistic vision, combined with mechanical expertise, resulted in visually stunning and structurally sound pieces.
The "Whirligig Farm" at his home in Lucama, North Carolina, became an unexpected tourist destination, drawing visitors from around the world. His work caught the art world's attention, and his pieces were eventually displayed in prominent locations, including the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore and the North Carolina Museum of Art. In 2013, the town of Wilson, NC opened the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, preserving his legacy for future generations.
Simpson's art transcended traditional categories. While some viewed his work as folk art, others recognized it as sophisticated kinetic sculpture. He received numerous accolades late in life, including the North Carolina Award for Fine Arts, the state's highest civilian honor. His whirligigs have been featured in exhibitions worldwide and even at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.
Working well into his 90s, Simpson continued creating and maintaining his whirligigs until he died in 2013 at 94. His legacy lives on not only in the preserved whirligigs but in the way he demonstrated that art can come from anywhere and anyone, regardless of formal training or traditional artistic background.
Preserving Simpson's work has become significant, combining art conservation with engineering expertise. The restoration team had to develop new techniques to preserve these unique structures, creating detailed documentation of his construction methods and developing ways to protect the whirligigs from the elements while maintaining their ability to move as intended.
Vollis Simpson's story reminds us that creativity knows no age limit and that extraordinary art can emerge from ordinary materials. His whirligigs stand as monuments to imagination, engineering ingenuity, and the joy of creating something magical from the discarded and forgotten.
