Spotlight on Collage Artist Trading Card Artist Peter Evans

Born in London, United Kingdom, but growing up in Essex, Peter Evans was always drawn to the beauty of the urban decay of the big city compared to the manicured surroundings of the suburbs. Layers of torn posters, peeling paint and graffiti would draw him in and it is this inherent love of the “natural” art of the city which inspires him and forms the basis of his output today. After discovering the work of Hannah Höch, Evans turned to collage and was able to marry his obsession for the city with a desire to talk about its inhabitants. His art explores their wants, needs, desires and complexities along with his own. Reflecting the beauty he sees around him through the art he creates, Evans tells at least a small part of our story.

Evans is one of the 15 artists featured in Collage Artist Trading Card Pack #4. Collage Artist Trading Card packs are a tool for discovering contemporary, fine art collage. Each card is a full colour, 5.5” x 3.5” postcard with rounded corners. An example of an artist’s work is on the front of the card and the artist’s public contact information is on the back. We interviewed him about his work.

How do you describe yourself?

EVANS: The romantic view I have of myself is that of a messenger, trying to express my opinions on people and things I see around me through my work. The honest view is probably that I’m just someone that easily gets annoyed with things.

What was the impulse behind the Not What Was Done?

EVANS: When I started it I had a colour pallet I wanted to use and some images I knew I wanted to be prominent in the piece. As with a lot of my work the process led to the meaning behind it and this one actually turned into being autobiographical. I always knew the feeling I wanted it to emit but I hadn’t planned for it to be as personal as it turned out to be.

How do you make this work?

EVANS: I started with a base poster I wanted to use and collected a few other posters to make up the pallet. These were glued and placed on top of each other, and some parts of the piece were painted. I then ripped and tore the various layers of posters.

Why did you want to make this work?

EVANS: I wanted to try some mixed media stuff but it turned into more of a collage in the end. I was influenced by Michael Cutlip‘s work and really wanted to make something along the lines of his latest work but it turned out completely different.

What are you working on currently?

EVANS: I’m obsessed with street art at the moment, I’m working on a canvas panel that will have paint, stencil art and decollage. It’s part of a series of work, which is actually more of an ideal, called ‘Real Hope’.

Evans lives and works in London. You can see more of his work in the Kolaj Magazine Artist Directory and at his website.

PURCHASE COLLAGE ARTIST TRADING CARDS

Image (top):
Cinemonde by Peter Evans (14″x10.2″; decollage using vintage magazine on card with acrylic medium; 2014)

Image (centre):
Not What Was Done by Peter Evans (30″x20″; decollage with appropriated posters, acrylic and acrylic medium on card; 2014)

Image (bottom):
Until Next Year by Peter Evans (20″x20″x2″; appropriated fly posters and acrylic medium; 2014)