Paul Evans for Paul Evans Studio Rare Armchairs in Welded Copper

Paul Evans for Paul Evans Studio, dining chairs, welded and patinated copper, leather, United States, circa 1970

Designed by Paul Evans, these rare armchairs are certainly a work of art in their own right. This design exemplifies Evans’s idiosyncratic way with welding and constructing. The framework of the chairs is assembled from copper sheets, skillfully welded together in a patchwork effect and artfully patinated. The resulting construction adheres to a playful, almost skeletal appearance, with a harmonious interplay of concave and convex elements. The chair's seat and top frame are upholstered in a fine dusty pink colored leather. This design serves as a wonderful example of Evans's groundbreaking and artistic design methodology.

Paul Evans (1931-1987) was among one of the most important American Studio Craft Movement members. Together with artists such as Wharton Esherick and George Nakashima, he helped to make the Philadelphia region a prominent center for the Studio Craft in the late 1960s. Born in Newton, Pennsylvania, Evans studied at a few different institutions such as the Philadelphia Textile Institute, the Rochester Institute of Technology, School for American Craftsman, and the Cranbrook Academy of Art. Eventually, he was drawn to New Hope, Pennsylvania, in 1955 where he collaborated and shared a showroom with Phillip Lloyd Powell until 1966. Powell’s woodwork and Evans' metal craftsmanship combined into a creative partnership. During this period, he started to create furniture with metal and sculpture by which he manipulated materials to achieve expressive surface effects. In 1964, Evans started working for the Directional Furniture company where he pursued a new phase of his career. Directional offered him new opportunities for selling his work throughout the US and he continuously introduced new lines. However, his line proved to be too expensive and by the end of the seventies, he ended his relationship with the company. It was also throughout the seventies that Evans started to replace these crusty, textured surfaced, that were patinated with paint and acid, with dazzling, reflective metal surfaces that were sometimes mixed with woods. Evans’ oeuvre has an impressive size especially when regarding all pieces were handmade. On March 6, 1987, the artist shut down his business and, unfortunately, died the next day due to a heart attack.

Please note that the price listed is per chair.

Please note that the price is per item.

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