John Evans Paintings

John Evans was an American artist known for his distinctive collage diaries, which he created daily from 1964 until his death in 2012. Born on September 5, 1932, in Urbana, Ohio, Evans moved to New York City in the late 1950s, where he became an integral part of the vibrant East Village art scene. His work is characterized by its meticulous composition, incorporating found objects, photographs, and ephemera that he collected during his daily walks through the city. These diaries not only serve as a visual record of his life and times but also offer a unique window into the cultural and social history of New York City over five decades.

Evans studied at Oberlin College and later attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where he honed his skills in painting and drawing. However, it was his move to New York that truly shaped his artistic direction. Settling in the East Village, Evans was inspired by the bohemian lifestyle and the burgeoning pop art movement. His daily collages began as a personal project but soon gained recognition for their creativity and historical significance. Each piece is a snapshot of a day, meticulously dated and preserved, making his body of work a vast chronological archive.

Throughout his career, John Evans exhibited at various galleries and museums, including solo and group shows. His works are part of several prestigious collections, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York. Despite the growing attention, Evans remained dedicated to his daily practice, viewing it as a form of meditation and a way to document his life and observations.

John Evans passed away on November 5, 2012, leaving behind a legacy that is both personal and universal. His collages capture the essence of a city in flux, reflecting changes in culture, fashion, and politics through the lens of everyday life. Evans's work continues to inspire artists and historians alike, offering insights into the power of daily practice and the enduring significance of the collage form as a means of personal and historical expression.