Biography and Books

Lobel Modern was established by Evan Lobel in NYC in 1998 to promote important 20th century designers whose originality and exceptional craftsmanship and materials transformed their works into art. The gallery showcases period furniture, lighting, art, decorative arts and timepieces. Lobel Modern has since become a critical resource for designers, architects, and collectors the world over. Featured designers include Karl Springer, Gabriella Crespi, Philip and Kelvin LaVerne, Paul Evans, Vladamir Kagan, Tommi Parzinger, Edward Wormley, Harvey Probber and Anzolo Fuga.

Evan Lobel values scholarship and research and is a specialist in the designers Lobel Modern carries. He has an extensive archive of historical information and has been involved in numerous projects and publications.

In 2003 Baruch College did a retrospective on Harvey Probber and named Evan Lobel the Exhibition Coordinator. He worked directly with the Probber family and Judith Gura who wrote the catalog.

Since its inception, Lobel Modern has proudly featured the works of Philip and Kelvin LaVerne.  A team of father and son artists, each extremely talented in their own right, combined their efforts to create unique functional art pieces in bronze and pewter from the 1960's through the 1980's.  Some of the pieces were buried in special soil and chemicals in order to achieve aged patinas.  Their works ranged from figural interpretations of historical civilizations to abstract pieces and hand-torched bronze sculptures.  Each piece is a masterpiece.

For over a decade Karl Springer has been a focus of Lobel Modern. Springer once said, “Quality. That is what is most important to me. The integrity of surfaces, the elements of restraint- these make luxury more piquant.  Everything depends in the end on uncompromising workmanship and rigid control, all in the pursuit of quality. As for me, I allow nothing to represent me that is not my best effort.”  This obsession with quality combined with the use of exotic luxurious materials make Springer's pieces truly exceptional.  Architectural Digest (10/03 “Rediscovering Karl Springer”) named Evan Lobel the "New York dealer who has been instrumental in putting Springer back on the map."

After becoming fascinated with the exuberant Modernist designs of the important 1950’s glass artist Anzolo Fuga, Evan Lobel co-published the book Anzolo Fuga, Murano Glass Artist: Designs for A.V.E.M.  The book was written by Rosa Barovier-Mentasi, one of the world’s most respected glass scholars, who spent over 2 years doing independent research including interviews with every living glassblower who worked at A.V.E.M. with full access to their archive.  Marc Heiremans, a well known glass luminary, stated about Rosa Barovier Mentasti, "The scholarship of Rosa Barovier Mentasti as a researcher and an historian is beyond reproach.  This is not an impression but a certitude, as I know Rosa personally for many years."* The book can be ordered from the Lobel Modern gallery.

Here is a link to an article written by Evan Lobel for Modern Magazine, "The Importance of Anzolo Fuga": 

http://modernmag.com/history-lesson-the-importance-of-anzolo-fuga/

In 2014 Evan Lobel started collaborating with Kelvin LaVerne on a comprehensive reference book on the full breadth of works of Philip and Kelvin LaVerne from 1959 to 1987. As a father and son artist team, the LaVernes collaboration resulted in hundreds of unique and complex artworks in bronze and pewter, some engraved, others cast and still others hand-brazed. ALCHEMY: THE ART OF PHILIP AND KELVIN LAVERNE is a comprehensive testament to the important of these artist-designers who brought history, artisanship, and innovation into conversation with functional design and art. In writing the book with Kelvin LaVerne, Evan Lobel provides unparralled insight in the methods and history of the duo and introduces a bounty of beautiful and never-before-seen images and commentary. This is, and will continue to be, the authoritative account of Philip and Kelvin LaVerne’s esteemed place in the history of 20th-century art and design. The book can be ordered here:

https://pointedleafpress.com/order/alchemy-the-art-of-philip-and-kelvin-laverne

Evan Lobel was Associate Curator for the retrospective at the New York School of Interior Design: “Making Connections: Harvey Probber Furniture 1945-85” which opened February 20, 2020. He worked along side his friend Judith Gura on this show, who passed away shortly afterwards. She was a tour-de-force in the academic design world and a scholar.

Lobel Modern takes the condition of their inventory very seriously.  If a work is not in original immaculate condition then it is restored by hand to the highest possible standards by Lobel Modern's artisans.  Many pieces are re-upholstered with beautiful fabrics with crisp lines and meticulous workmanship.  This is one of the reasons that Lobel Modern is a must-go-to gallery for designers, architects and those with discerning taste.

*in an email dated June 6, 2014