Bevan’s Epistrophies series explores the rhythmic, abstract, and infinite possibilities inspired by a singular motif—a tree encountered near his home over many winters. This ongoing series highlights the profoundly anthropomorphic and expressive qualities of a leafless tree, which Bevan studied meticulously across changing seasons. Working from memory within his studio, he translates the emotions and impressions evoked by the tree into a sequence of variations. Each Epistrophe—a reimagining of the same tree—emerges as a lyrical meditation, where forms evolve, dissolve, and re-emerge in an endless cycle of renewal. The term ‘Epistrophe,’ derived from poetry, rhetoric, and rhythm, encapsulates this dynamic and iterative process.

Epistrophy Red White (PC232), 2023, marks a striking and vivid departure within the series. The tree, rendered in bold, arterial red against a stark white background, assumes a commanding presence. This choice of red imbues the work with heightened emotional resonance, suggesting vitality, passion, and perhaps an undercurrent of tension. The crimson hue transforms the tree into a symbol of life’s force—at once visceral and fragile—while evoking a sense of mythic intensity.
The Epistrophies collectively convey a deep vitality, with each tree distilled to its fundamental structural essence, revealing abstracted yet dynamic and emotive forms. The red tree, in particular, accentuates the series’ exploration of memory and transformation, connecting the personal to the universal. The term ‘epistrophe’ not only evokes the rhetorical and poetic device of repetition but also resonates with the eponymous jazz standard by Thelonious Monk, whose syncopated rhythms echo the trees’ pulsating energies.

Through Epistrophy Red White (PC232), Bevan underscores the intrinsic relationship between subject and presentation, offering a profound investigation into mental space and rhythmic possibility. The result is a powerful articulation of the infinite, captured with striking clarity and intensity.