Liverpool Brothers keep art in the family

Jan 26 2009 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

Family of artists: Tony Evans (centre), with his brothers Stan Evans (left) and Dave Evans (right) with some of their work _320

THREE brothers from a Liverpool family, who each developed a special talent for art in later life, are celebrating their first joint exhibition.

Siblings Tony, Stan and Dave Evans have come together for Brothers in Arts, which can now be seen at the View Two gallery.

The work of youngest brother Tony, 64, will already be familiar to many.

He has became an established sculptor, developing his distinctive style after returning to education following his retirement from a career in insurance.

His largest work, Inspiration, can be seen outside Liverpool Community College, on Myrtle Street, where he did his first art course in his 50s.

But it turned out he wasn’t the only talent in the family.

Eldest brother Dave, 72, showed early promise as an artist. He began at a young age by winning a scholarship to the Liverpool College of Art and went on to become an illustrator, and then artistic director for Littlewoods – but the demands of the job left little time to pursue art for its own sake.

Dave said: "I went to the junior art school on Gambier Terrace until I was 15. From there, I worked round the clock and it has mostly been since I retired I have got back into it."

Middle brother Stan, 68, had a career in accounting, and took to art just four years ago after suffering a stroke, uncovering a hitherto undiscovered flair – it is the first time he has exhibited his work.

The brothers, who grew up in Wavertree, are clearly proud of their achievements – and each other.

"There’s obviously something in the genes," Tony said, although they don’t remember any other family members showing an interest in art.