George Evans opening Night Reception “Matter in Motion” February 4, 2024
The Solo Exhibition will run till March 3, 2024
On Sunday, February 4th, from 4-8 p.m., Karla Funderburk Founder of MATTER Studio Gallery welcomes you to 5080 West Pico Blvd, LA CA 90019, to experience this exhibition featuring paintings, photographs, and works on paper by George Evans. Using both cameras and brushes, Evans skillfully captures the colors, actions, and movements of human forms and the dynamic forces of nature within the space we call home.
Artist Statement
Growing up in South Central Los Angeles, I developed my artistic skills under my father’s guidance, a graphic artist. In my adolescence, I worked at his advertising shop, painting signs and selling prints after school. Summers were dedicated to learning letterpress printing from Mr. Carter’s Printing.
Post-1965 Watts Riots, I joined the Tutor Arts program by artists Charles White, William Pajaud, and William Tara. This transformative experience at the Chouinard Institute of the Arts fueled my passion for drawing, painting, and photography. My father introduced me to Mr. Valentine, a client who trained me in darkroom printing. This opportunity allowed me to attend L.A. Trade Technical College in 1969, studying commercial art and taking classes at Stanford University.
Tutor Arts awarded me a four-year scholarship to Chouinard, completing my Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1972. Teaching drawing at Tutor Arts during my senior year, I had the privilege of being close to mentor Charles White. I also worked with Bill Pajaud at Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company as a freelance graphic designer.
Learning watercolor techniques from Bill Pajaud and delving into African American art, I expanded my artistic horizons. Meeting influential painters and poets shaped my artistic journey. In this period, I married Annie, found a home, and set up my own film lab and silkscreen printing company.
Establishing my graphic design and photography practice in 1976, I became a photographic retoucher at Custom Color Labs in Glendale. Working on diverse projects for NASA, entertainment, and defense companies, I joined J. Walter Thompson Recruitment Advertising Agency in 1980.
In 1994, I joined Warner Bros. Studio Facilities, focusing on digital prepress systems. Collaborating with the Art Team, I met Cecil Fergerson, a community curator. Through him, I engaged with exhibitions and worked with Self Help Graphic on a 12-color silkscreen print for the LA Expressions exhibition at LACMA.
Becoming a tenured professor at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College in 1997, I designed computer labs and continued creating art in my home studio. Settling in Culver City, my family owned a French bakery. Though my Art Team tenure concluded, I’m proud of our accomplishments and honored to serve my community. – G. Evans
Matter Studio Gallery /5080 West Pico Blvd LA Ca 90019 (323)-697-4988
- Gallery Hours: Friday 4-6 PM and Saturday and Sunday, 12-6 PM
- Private appointments are also available.
