Paul Evans: Crossing Boundaries and Crafting Modernism

Renowned for his sculptural approach to furniture and his groundbreaking use of materials and techniques, Paul Evans (1931–1987) occupies a singular position in postwar American design history.

His work dissolves the boundaries between sculpture and utility, between handcrafted detail and industrial aesthetics. Integrating traditional metalworking with synthetic materials and experimental surface treatments, Evans redefined the visual and tactile language of modern furniture.

This publication offers a comprehensive and critical perspective on Evans’ multifaceted practice. It brings together detailed analyses of key works, contextual essays, and documentation of his collaborations with studio assistants, highlighting the hybrid nature of his production methods. His pieces—at once expressive, tactile, and technically inventive—embody a radical rethinking of furniture as a sculptural medium.

The book was published in conjunction with the exhibition Paul Evans: Crossing Boundaries and Crafting Modernism, shown at the Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, Pennsylvania (March 1 – June 1, 2014), and at the Cranbrook Art Museum in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan (June 21 – October 12, 2014). It provides valuable insight for scholars of design, craft, and material culture into an artist whose work continues to resonate with collectors and researchers alike.