Will Bradley wrote of Chris Evans’s work: ‘Unlike the politically motivated artists of the last generation, he doesn’t ask that art give up any of its connection with personal, poetic or imaginative investigation…’
’Militant Bourgeois’ explores the tension between patronage and contemporary art production. The old practice of wealthy patrons commissioning artists to create specific works with specific themes was supplanted in the 19th century by the situation of the artist working autonomously. These days, state subsidies often provide financial resources for artists, and this is especially prevalent in the Netherlands. However, this overtly generous support by the state has come under international criticism of late and, according to some, leads to an insular self-reliant art scene, laziness and mediocre work…