Simon Andersen

Simon Andersen (1946–2013) was born in Dublin and spent most of his life in Denmark. A gifted poet who won the London Poetry Society award in 1979, he found his true calling in origami. Simon approached paper folding not as mere craft but as sculptural art, understanding paper at a level few could match.

He co-founded an origami gallery with his partner Agnete on Langeland, sharing seven happy years together. Later, living as a hermit in Northern Jutland, Simon continued creating expressive models that combined technical mastery with deep spiritual insight. His work emphasized the “Danish school” of clean, economical design while incorporating vibrant colors and metaphysical understanding.

Though his obsessive dedication to origami sometimes strained relationships, Simon remained a warm, humorous friend to those who knew him well. He folded with an intuitive grace, knowing precisely when to be gentle with paper and when to apply force, creating models that seemed to breathe with life.

Simon’s legacy lives on through his innovative models and the profound influence he had on Danish origami. His contributions to the art form deserve recognition far beyond what he received in his lifetime. You can learn more about Simon and see his remarkable work at papirfoldning.dk