maurice evans

Maurice Evans is known for the African-inspired “Waterbearer” series and his dynamic mixed-media works celebrating jazz music and its innovators.

But, in a new series, the Atlanta artist offers something different. Abstract portraitures – with deeper color palettes and added texture – that are about more than what appears at first glance.

Artist: Born in Smyrna, TN, Evans’ father was in the military but also was a talented drummer and singer in a gospel choir who influenced his early interest in music. His mother was a teacher.

When the family moved to Griffin, GA, Evans narrowed his creative focus from music to art in high school and then college, where he earned a degree in fashion illustration at Art Institute of Atlanta.

After college, Evans worked in various jobs, including music producer, medical illustrator and assistant fine artist for a company creating paintings on demand for corporate spaces, including hotels and offices.

But he wanted to be an independent artist. In 1994, with the support of family and friends, Evans had his first successful exhibition at the juried Black Arts Festival in Atlanta.

Since then, Evans has been a full-time artist, working from his home studio in the Atlanta area.

Art & materials: Mixed media works, using photography, painting and collage, with bold colors and abstract expressions.

Materials include wood panels, acrylics, oils, encaustics, pen and ink, pyrography, fabric, paper cut outs, sometimes motorized parts and models.

Originals ($500 to $50,000).
Posters, giclee’ reproductions, and original prints, such as woodcuts, and silkscreens ($35 to $2,500).

Process: Often begins with sketches of a concept that evolve into photographs. He frequently incorporates body-painted models that become part of larger mixed-media compositions.

Favorite tools: Fancy and cheap brushes and fountain pens, paint markers and palette knives.

Inspirations:

Music, fashion, movies and photography. His love for music drove him to create a series called, “The Colour of Jazz.”
African American and various African culture.
Abstract thought. “The ability to think outside of representational work is very important to my practice,” said Evans. “To create something from imagination is key to my creativity.

Fun and unusual commission: Hired to paint models – from head to toe – in liquid gold paint for a fashion show.

Recent project: A series called “Fiber Secrets,” which explores an alternative coded communication used during slavery.

The enslaved Africans often used patterns and symbols, embedded in the fabric of clothing and quilts, to serve as a guide to freedom and as a way to communicate with each other in secret.

Recent exhibit: Solo show, “Fiber Secrets,” at The Bridge Art Gallery, Wilmington, DE.

What’s next: “Bonds of Kinship.” A group printmakers’ show at the Emma Darnell Aviation Museum in Atlanta. June 27 to Sept 15.

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