crystal Evans: artist statement

I am a multidisciplinary artist working across human insight photography, abstract and figurative sculpture, landscape and portrait painting, pen and ink, concept installation, video art, audio compositions, textual art, and poetry. My practice is rooted in phenomenology—how we experience the world through perception, memory, and emotion. I explore the narratives we construct, the cognitive biases that shape them, and the universal truths that emerge when we strip away assumption and artifice.

Born in the UK to a Malaysian-Chinese mother and an Ugandan-South African father, I have always been drawn to the spaces where cultures meet, merge, and redefine themselves. This confluence of heritage has shaped my deep interest in belonging, identity, and the invisible threads that connect us all. It has also made me acutely aware of the complexities of perception—how we are seen, how we see others, and what lies beyond the surface of both personal and collective experience.

But my art is not passive. I feel a compulsion to wield it as a weapon for change—a means of interrogating the world, challenging assumptions, and igniting new ways of thinking. There is an urgency in my practice, a drive to create work that not only provokes reflection but also demands action. Art has the power to shift perspectives, influence culture, and dismantle barriers—and I am intent on using it to do so.

My creative process is one of intuitive exploration and deep engagement with materials. Whether I am working with the permanence of stoneware, the fluidity of ink or paint, or the immersive quality of sound and video, I allow each medium to guide me. There is a constant back-and-forth between planning and spontaneity, where the materials themselves become partners in the creation, taking on a life of their own. I embrace experimentation, trusting the process to unfold as I engage with each piece. Often, my work starts with a single idea or question—an image or concept I am drawn to—but evolves as I interact with the materials and allow the process to reshape my intentions.

I embrace imperfection as a method of truth-telling. A fractured ceramic form, an unfinished line in ink, or an unexpected juxtaposition of materials can speak to the fragile, unresolved nature of human experience. My work seeks to move beyond individual identity and into collective resonance—what lingers in memory, what connects us across time and culture, what shapes us as individuals and societies.

The emotional connection I seek to establish is one that challenges and transforms. I want my work to confront, to discomfort, and to inspire a deep, introspective look at the world around us. Whether through the sharp edge of a sculpture or the fluidity of a painting, I want to evoke a feeling that lingers beyond the immediate experience—something that stays with the viewer, encouraging them to reflect on their own assumptions and beliefs.

This pursuit of art as activism has led to my work being exhibited internationally, including at COP29, the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference, where art meets policy in the global fight for climate justice. I have also been featured in The Arts Society Magazine and continue to curate and exhibit across national and international platforms.

Ultimately, I see art as an active force—one that shapes culture, influences perception, and has the power to create meaningful change. My practice is an ongoing exploration of how we construct reality, how we see and are seen, and how art can open pathways to deeper understanding.