Statement:

Originally from Boise, Idaho, Evan Paul English is an interdisciplinary artist working and residing in Brooklyn, New York. His work ranges from painting, mixed media sculpture, murals and tattoo art. A main component of his practice is collecting objects from the streets, vintage and thrift stores. Using them as material to create readymade sculptures and as visual language in his paintings, he explores relationships between gender, class, sexuality and the effect of growing up queer in America. He investigates the ways in which culture shapes our self-understanding through materials and objects, often utilizing decorative motifs to subvert stereotypes and ask deeper questions about our own gender narratives.

His interest in identity and self-reclamation has gone on to inspire his work as a tattoo artist.  He co-owns Yarrow Studio, an appointment-only tattoo studio located in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. his recent work involves using American vintage floral designs and reimagining them into tattoo designs. Evan views this as an act of reclamation, giving new life and meaning to otherwise dated floral motifs.  

Working closely with these fabrics, the idea of magnification informed his current body of paintings. Using a small viewfinder, he finds compelling compositions within the fabrics and enlarges them to various size abstract paintings. Through distortion, enlargement, visual and spatial immersion, a new experience with a familiar motif arises, making space for contemplation and revelation.

News

Evan was recently an Artist Fellow at the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art and participated in the 2020 edition of SPRING/BREAK Art Show in New York City. He recently exhibited work at Fridman Gallery and had a solo exhibition at Chashama in November, 2021.