Michael Evans

Michael Evans is a Senior Lecturer in Painting and Programme Leader for Fine Art Painting and Drawing at the University of Northampton, where he has been teaching since 1996. He holds a BA (Hons) in Fine Art from Coventry University and completed a practice-based PhD in 2012 on contemporary abstract painting and spiritual experience. He is an active artist and scholar, supervising PhD students and contributing to journals and edited volumes.

• Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Fine Art, Coventry University (1984–1987)
• PhD in Fine Art (Practice-Based), University of Northampton (awarded 2012)

Michael Evans' research is deeply rooted in the intersection of abstract painting, spirituality, and contemporary philosophical inquiry. His work explores apophatic modes of thought, the numinous, and transcendental abstraction within a secular context, while also examining how digital technologies influence contemporary painting practices. He investigates how painting can evoke spiritual or transcendent experiences even in non-religious settings, drawing on traditions of negative theology and Jungian psychology.

His recent scholarly and artistic output demonstrates a consistent engagement with themes of emptiness, selfhood, otherness, and the metaphysical dimensions of artistic practice. Publications and exhibitions reflect a trajectory focused on the experiential and contemplative aspects of art, particularly how abstraction can serve as a conduit for spiritual or psychological insight. His work often bridges theory and practice, emphasizing process-based approaches and reflective inquiry.

Michael Evans has contributed to significant publications such as the International Journal of Religion and Spirituality in Society and the International Journal of Jungian Studies, as well as edited volumes like Contemplations of the Spiritual in Art and Digital, Painting. His exhibitions, including at the Royal College of Art and Northampton Museum & Art Gallery, highlight his commitment to public engagement and artistic innovation.

• Contributing author to Contemplations of the Spiritual in Art and Photography
• Published in International Journal of Religion and Spirituality in Society
• Published in International Journal of Jungian Studies
• Exhibitions at Royal College of Art, Northampton Museum & Art Gallery, and North East Wales Institute

Michael Evans supervises PhD candidates in Fine Art, including Francis Blore, Nour Zantah, and Natasha Toms, whose projects explore drawing, violence in art, and Baroque imagery. He has not received any explicitly mentioned grants, but his sustained research activity and public exhibitions indicate ongoing institutional and academic support. His leadership in the Fine Art programme underscores his role in shaping contemporary art education.

He is actively involved in curatorial and collaborative projects, such as the Material Matters exhibition at Northampton Museum and Art Gallery and the Viewfinder digital art project. These initiatives reflect his engagement with interdisciplinary practices, digital media, and community outreach, positioning him at the forefront of contemporary art discourse.