Two old friends on show at town hall

Aug 13 2008 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

Tony Evans with his sculptures at Liverpool Town Hall _220

TWO old friends have pooled their talents for two exhibitions that can now be seen at Liverpool Town Hall.

The intriguing, yet very different shows by Wavertree sculptor Tony Evans and photographer Jim Connolly, are on display for another week and a half.

More than 20 pieces by Tony Evans in Catching the Moment, which can be seen on the tour around the town hall, from a striking life-sized eagle to marquettes of work to come, including a work soon to be unveiled at Liverpool Community College’s Myrtle Street campus and a commission for Merchant Taylors’ girls school.

Tony has made waves in the art world, receiving high acclaim for his work in copper and bronze, despite only turning his hand to sculpture just five years ago.

Now Tony, based in Frodsham, is pleased to have so much of his work on display in his home town.

“I’m born and bred Liverpool, so for me, to have my work here, where my family and friends can come to see it, is fantastic.

“And when they said I could have the grand ballroom – I wasn’t going to argue with that!”

Some limited edition bronzes, including Liver Birds, are on sale.

But it is the Pegasus, of which a life-sized version will soon be seen escaping from the side of the community college, that has the sculptor’s imagination for now.

Tony’s work appears alongside Liver People, by photographer Jim Connolly. It was Jim who asked his sculptor friend to get involved.

“I’m such a fan of Tony’s, I didn’t want to miss the opportunity, so I asked him to join me,” he said.

Jim’s portrait work captures many of the great and the good of Liverpool’s creative community in noticeably relaxed form, from Phil Redmond and Ken Dodd to the Daily Post’s very own Philip Key.

Liver People is an ever-growing collection of work first shown at the Museum of Liverpool Life for the Millennium. “It’s been my passion all my life,” Jim said.

“I like to show people the way they would like to look.”

Catching the Moment and Liver People are on display at Liverpool Town Hall until August 22.

vickyanderson@dailypost.co.uk