Merlyn Evans 1910-1973

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  'Thunderbird'
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  'Standing'

Artist Information

Merlyn Evans was a painter, printmaker, sculptor and teacher, born in Cardiff, and noted for his Surrealist and abstract works which often have an overtone of menace. He studied at Glasgow School of Art, 1927-30, a travelling scholarship enabling him to work extensively on the continent until he resumed studies at the Royal College of Art, 1931-3. Further studied under Stanley William Hayter in Paris, 1934-6. He was influenced by Surrealism and the Vorticists, exhibiting at the International Surrealist Exhibition in London in 1936. Merlyn Evans began teaching in London, then lived and taught in South Africa, 1938-42, having his first one-man show at Durban's City Art Gallery in 1939. After widespread World War II Army service Evans settled in London, where he became a member of LG. From 1965-73 he taught at the Royal College of Art. The Tate Gallery and other major galleries hold his work. There was a retrospective at Whitechapel Art Gallery, 1956, another at the Art Institute of Chicago, 1967 and a memorial show at the National Museum of Wales, 1974. Later exhibitions included Tate Gallery, 1985, and retrospectives at the Mayor/Redfern Galleries, 1988. Merlyn Evans lived in London.