My name is Mark Evans.
At the core of my art practice over the last 7 years, is a process I’ve coined ‘pyro-etching.’ Using a propane torch rig, i super heat a variety of found metal objects and drag or press them into 1/16th inch taskboard. Objects with a heavier mass will leave longer, darker marks. As the ‘stylus’ cools, the line evolves from jet black to soft brown and eventually a colorless embossment of the surface. ‘Tools’ include vintage wood chisels, threaded bolts, railroad nails, forks, clay sculpting tools, nail punches and antique soldering irons. Small bursts of flame and puffs of smoke are common, making for an exciting and often unpredictable result. The process allows me to explore a new form of drawing… with hot metal! Graphite and Transparent applications of inks - iridescent, pearlescent and regular - are used to allow the burnt, pyro-etched bones - the framework - to shine through.
‘The Path to Weightless,’ my two panels in the Big Draw exhibition, were part of several projects completed during the COVID years. Instead of being intentional, I simply took to the torch under the crazy weight of the time (watching too much news, being isolated, etc) and let the hot metal find its way. Compared to my usual abstract, design oriented style, These works feature free, human forms - moving from dense chaos to almost dispersing into space. I leave it to the viewer to decide which direction they/we are moving - into or away from darkness. Personally? I choose light… optimism, rebirth, fearlessness, unity.
