DENTIST SWEET SPOT
DENTIST Stan Evans passionately used periodontal probes for more than 51 years but upon retirement he refused to throw them away.
Since 2014, the now Broadbeach artist has been sculpting famous faces out of clay with the help of his beloved dental equipment.
Mr Evans said his hobby was similar to his work at the family clinic – and he was increasingly doing personal pieces on commission – including recently the late son of a Gold Coast father.
“For many years, I would bring home impressions of my client’s teeth to wax up and reshape while I watched TV of an evening,” the 80year-old said. “When I retired, I missed being artistic so I started sculpting a Himba girl and then I didn’t stop.
“This is similar to what I did as a dentist, but this line of work is far more peaceful and creative.”
Since then, he has made around 34 statues of men, women, children and his favourite celebrities.
Each sculpture takes him about three months to complete and he typically charges four figures.
Friends and family now commission Mr Evans to make bespoke pieces, typically of their deceased relatives or pets.
Mr Evans said his favourite piece was a bronzed lifelike figurine of actor Clint Eastwood. Derryn Hinch, Angelina Jolie, Freddie Mercury and various characters from Game of Thrones are also proudly on display in his apartment.
Mr Evans said he was glad to finally enjoy time with his wife Beverley, listen to 60s and 70s music and enjoy art after a colourful working life.
It included opening wine bar Bacchus Lounge – which later became live music spot Swingin’ Safari before closing – for a short time in 1970s.