Evan Ishmael
30 x 24 in.
Soot, Spray Paint on Concrete
2019

Evan Ishmael is an artist based in Brooklyn, New York. In his collection of works, Evan explores the unique and idiosyncratic medium of flame to compose hauntingly beautiful visual images on canvas, wood and glass. The residue that’s left behind creates formations in soot reminiscent of the vast landscapes of ethereal worlds. In attempt to harness the unbridled nature of soot as a medium, Evan experiments with form and composition by using hard edges and, most recently, the addition of color in his latest works.

Evan says of his process: "My work has always centered around the exploration of form. What started as an attempt to explore a new medium has evolved into a fascination with larger, more complicated compositions. I begin each piece by envisioning myself building an organic object—sometimes a towering form, other times delicate or minimal ones. I continue to push my own limits with size as well as content; constantly pushing the boundaries of an intensively restrictive medium. My goal is for the piece to entirely encompass the person interacting with it, and I want for the viewer to imagine the work perpetually expanding into space beyond the canvas in front of them."