Abigail Ozora Simpson is a British artist and designer whose sculptural furniture and functional objects explore the relationship between craft, storytelling and cultural identity.
Working primarily in wood, Simpson combines traditional woodworking techniques with contemporary design, creating pieces that draw on West African material culture, personal heritage and the rituals of domestic life. Her practice sits between sculpture and furniture, where functional objects become vessels for memory, identity and conversation.
Born in London to British and Nigerian parents, Simpson studied Three-Dimensional Design before completing an MA in Design Products at the Royal College of Art. Her multidisciplinary practice spans furniture, sculpture and installation, reflecting an interest in how objects shape human experience and preserve cultural narratives. Through careful research and making, she explores themes of belonging, ancestry and the ways in which craft traditions evolve across generations.
Working predominantly with hardwoods, Simpson employs traditional joinery alongside contemporary fabrication techniques. Her work is characterised by bold geometric forms, tactile surfaces and an expressive use of colour, often referencing West African architecture, textiles and ceremonial objects. Rather than producing purely functional furniture, she creates works that invite reflection on the social and emotional significance of the objects we live with.
In 2023, Simpson was awarded a QEST Scholarship, enabling her to further develop specialist woodworking techniques and expand her research into traditional craft practices. The scholarship has supported the continued evolution of a practice that bridges heritage craftsmanship with contemporary collectible design, reinforcing her position among an emerging generation of British designer-makers.
Simpson has exhibited widely in the UK and internationally, including at Collect Art Fair, the London Design Festival and Homo Faber in Venice. Her work has been acquired by both private and public collections, earning recognition for its thoughtful integration of craftsmanship, cultural identity and contemporary design. Today, she is regarded as one of the most exciting emerging voices in British collectible design.
