John Evans

JOHN EVANS (South Dakota, 1932-2012).
"Birthday wishes to Melvin Bernhardt," 1964.
Collage and mixed media on paper.
Dated and dedicated.
Provenance: The Estate of Melvin Bernhardt, gift of the artist. Subsequently acquired at auction on Long Island, May 2016.
Measurements: 21 x 13.5 cm; 38 x 27.5 cm (frame).

John Evans was an artist linked to the Neo-Dada movement, known primarily for his collages made from objects found on the streets of New York's East Village. He studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and settled in New York in 1963. Between 1964 and 2000 he created a daily collage using everyday materials such as cards, newspaper clippings, photographs, tickets and wrappers collected from the street, turning each work into a visual testimony of urban life and the social and political changes of his time. His autobiographical and documentary pieces reflect both his personal life and historical events in New York City. Evans was also active in the international Mail Art movement and his work is part of important collections and archives, including the Smithsonian Institution.