Paul Evans played a pivotal role in the American Studio Craft Movement in the 1970s. His diverse artistic output spanned sculpture and furniture varying in different styles and materials throughout his career. Evans’ curiosity and innovation led him to lifelong investigation of materials. His most stands-out works are known for their intricate textures, high relief, hand-welded surfaces and dynamic forms.
Born in 1931 in Newtown, Pennsylvania, Evans studied sculpture, metalwork, silver- and goldsmithing at several prestigious institutions, including the Philadelphia Textile Institute, the Rochester Institute of Technology, School for American Craftsmen and Cranbrook Academy of Art. These formative years shaped his artistic language, which would later define his groundbreaking furniture designs.
In the 1950s, Evans collaborated and shared a showroom with his mentor, the woodworker Phillip Lloyd Powell in New Hope, Pennsylvania, where they created custom, one-of-a-kind pieces. By the 1960s, Evans had begun to create his signature series of metal-clad furniture. His breakthrough came in 1964 when he began working with Directional Furniture, designing several series of furniture lines including one of his most iconic ‘Cityscape’ series. His designs, including cabinets, chairs and sideboards, became sought-after pieces for their avant-garde appeal.
Throughout his career, Evans worked almost in phases, each focusing on a specific style and material, which included copper, bronze, pewter, sculpted steel and etched ‘argente’ aluminium. His welding techniques gave the metal surfaces an almost organic, textured appearance. His work is often described as a fusion of art and craft, with each piece meticulously handcrafted, making it both a functional object and a work of art.
Paul Evans died in 1987 at the age of 55. Despite a brief career, Evans made a lasting mark in the landscape of 20th-century design through his innovative approach to furniture design that pushed the boundaries of what furniture could be, transforming traditional techniques into a modernist, sculptural style. Today, his work remains highly collectible, celebrated for its unique blend of artistry, craftsmanship and industrial design.
PAUL EVANS (1931-1987)
A 'FORGED-FRONT' WALL-MOUNTED CABINET, 1976
PAUL EVANS (1931-1987)
A SCULPTURE-FRONT WALL-MOUNTED CABINET, 1968
PAUL EVANS (1931-1987)
A RARE 'FACETED' CABINET, CIRCA 1970
A BRONZED EPOXY RESIN AND SLATE SIDEBOARD
BY PAUL EVANS, 1970
PAUL EVANS (1931-1987)
'Deep Relief' Cabinet, Model PE 42, circa 1970
PAUL EVANS (1931-1987)
AN 'ARGENTE' CABINET, 1970
PAUL EVANS (1931-1987)
'ARMOIRE CABINET (ARGENTE)', 1969
PAUL EVANS (1931-1987)
CABINET, 1967
PAUL EVANS (1931-1987)
A UNIQUE U-SHAPED CHAIR, CIRCA 1968
PAUL EVANS (1931-1987)
'SCULPTED METAL' LOUNGE CHAIR, MODEL NO. PE-177, 1970S
PAUL EVANS (1931-1987) AND PHILLIP LLOYD POWELL (1919-2008)
TWO OCCASIONAL TABLES, CIRCA 1960
PAUL EVANS (1931-1987)
AN 'ARGENTE' PEDESTAL, CIRCA 1970
PAUL EVANS (1931-1987)
AN 'ARGENTE' ALUMINUM, ENAMELED STEEL AND PAINTED WOOD WALL CABINET, CIRCA 1970
PAUL EVANS (1931-1987)
COMMODE 'FACETED', VERS 1970, ÉDITION DIRECTIONAL
PAUL EVANS (1931-1987)
A 'CITYSCAPE' BURLWOOD AND CHROMED-METAL SIDEBOARD, 1970S
PAUL EVANS (1931-1987)
A SIDEBOARD, 1970
PAUL EVANS (1931-1987)
A SCULPTED STEEL AND SLATE SIDEBOARD, 1970S
A BLACK AND SILVER STAINLESS STEEL SIDE CABINET,
DESIGNED BY PAUL EVANS, CIRCA 1970,
PAUL EVANS (1931-1987)
A WELDED AND PATINATED STEEL AND GLASS COFFEE TABLE, 1972
A CHROMED METAL AND BRASS LAMINATED 'CITYSCAPE' COFFEE TABLE
BY PAUL EVANS, CIRCA 1970
PAUL EVANS (1931-1987)
A 'CITYSCAPE' BURLWOOD, CHROMED-METAL AND GLASS DINING TABLE, 1970S
A CHROMED METAL AND BRASS 'CITYSCAPE' CONSOLE
BY PAUL EVANS, 1960S
PAUL EVANS (1931-1987)
'Argente' Cabinet, 1968
PAUL EVANS (1931-1987)
A CHROMED-PLATED STEEL 'CITYSCAPE' TABLE, CIRCA 1970
PAUL EVANS (1931-1987)
A bookcase, from the 'Cityscape' series , 1970s
PAUL EVANS (1931-1987)
A 'CITYSCAPE' SIDEBOARD, CIRCA 1970
PAUL EVANS (1931-1987)
A SCULPTED STEEL AND PAINTED WOOD CONSOLE WITH SCULPTED STEEL MIRROR
A PAIR OF 'CITYSCAPE' CHROMED-METAL AND CORK VENEERED WALL CABINETS
BY PAUL EVANS FOR THE DIRECTIONAL FURNITURE CO., CIRCA 1970
A 'CITYSCAPE' CHROMED METAL AND CORK VENEERED SIDEBOARD
BY PAUL EVANS FOR THE DIRECTIONAL FURNITURE CO., CIRCA 1970
PAUL EVANS (1931-1987)
A 'PATCHWORK' COFFEE TABLE, 1970s
A CHROMED METAL AND SUEDE BACKGAMMON TABLE
ATTRIBUTED TO PAUL EVANS, 1970S-80S
PAUL EVANS (1931-1987)
CITYSCAPE GAME TABLE, PE-826, CIRCA 1978
PAUL EVANS (1931-1987)
A WALL-MOUNTED SHELF, CIRCA 1970
A BRASS AND CHROMED METAL THREE-PANEL FLOOR SCREEN,
DESIGNED BY PAUL EVANS (1931-1987), CIRCA 1970,
AN OLIVE WOOD WRITING TABLE,
BY PAUL EVANS, WITH 'AN ORIGINAL PAUL EVANS' BRASS TAG,
A CITYSCAPE SILVER BRASS AND GLASS DINING TABLE,
DESIGNED BY PAUL EVANS, 1970-1979
A SILVERED METAL AND BLACK FELT-MOUNTED GAMES TABLE,
DESIGNED BY PAUL EVANS (1931-1987), CIRCA 1970,
A SET OF SIX CHROMED-METAL AND UPHOLSTERED 'CITYSCAPE' DINING CHAIRS,
DESIGNED BY PAUL EVANS FOR DIRECTIONAL USA, CIRCA 1970