Paul Evans: Brutalist Furniture Icon

This past summer we had the opportunity to be included in In Collects article about the polarizing American-born designer, Paul Evans, and his contribution to the history of American furniture design and thriving contemporary market, celebrating mid century modern designers.

Paul Evans Signed Stalagmite Bronze Mid Century Modern Coffee Table

Paul Evans was constantly innovating, and as a leader of the Craft movement, no two pieces are the same. Each piece communicates his exuberance, passion, and fearlessness in manipulating materials in new ways. He was prolific, creating a new design almost every 6 months, which is why collectors are drawn to Evan’s work and his unique approach to mid century modern style.

Paul Evans Signed Stalagmite Bronze Mid Century Modern Coffee Table :  A stunning brutalist Paul Evans PE-128 coffee table which was part of the "Sculptured Metal Collection" for Directional. This dramatic cocktail table is comprised of a dark patinated bronze which has been artistically sculpted over a steel base in a stalagmite formation, presenting an arresting composition. This piece of Paul Evans brutalist furniture features bronze peaks and troughs supporting a circular glass top. The Stalagmite cocktail table includes the incised signature and date "PE79" by the artist, which can be seen in the photo gallery and denotes the production year of 1979.

Evans & The American Craft Movement:

The American Craft movement celebrates creation, and Paul Evans’s radical works further pushed the boundaries. The Craft movement rejected mass-produced design, and Evans’s innovative use of metal meant that no two pieces were the same, making him one of the leaders of this period. He smashes the boundaries that define art, sculpture, and furniture, eliciting debates between collectors, admirers, and peers as to whether his pieces were “good” or “bad, ugly or beautiful.” Conversation always elicits an appreciation for his work and why we at Hobbs Modern always look for his pieces. We love designs that bring about conversation and Paul Evans' work is functional art. His contributions have become an essential part of mid century modern decor. We love designs that can be both, and Paul Evans’s work epitomizes that juxtaposition.

Read more at The Untamed Genius of Paul Evans by Benjamin Genocchio for In Collect.