Brother pays tribute after Black Country sculptor's sudden death

But sadly David Livesey, from Wolverhampton, has died suddenly. He was found in his flat near the Wolves ground on the day of his 53rd birthday.

His brother Phil Livesey, aged 54, from Penn, has paid tribute to his gifted sibling.

He said: "We are all shocked at what has happened. I had really happy memories of us growing up together.

"He was a bit of a man mountain. I'm his older brother but he was a big lad and always stood out in the room.

"He was very good with his hands which showed in his sculpturing work. I was always impressed he could do that sort of thing and I couldn't.

"He was always good with his hands as a young lad. He started sculpturing properly when he was in school.

Mr Livesey continued: "A lot of people will have known David, especially because of his work. He always made an impression."

David was diagnosed with epilepsy when he was a young boy and it was something with which he battled throughout his life particularly in his earlier years. He had suffered a stroke aged 35.

His family believe he may have died following a heart attack on December 12.

His brother said: "He was diagnosed with epilepsy at a very young age of either five or six.

"I was impressed by the way he was able to live with his disability, the way he coped with life and the fact he was able to make a lot out of life.

"Because of the epilepsy he struggled to hold down a full-time job.

"But he threw himself into his art.

"His disability affected him more when he was younger, but he was always cheerful and soldiered on."

David gained a degree in sculpting and also spent six months training in carpentry at Bilston Enterprise on Oxford Street.

For more than two decades he created many of his works from the Wildside Activity Centre in Whitmore Reans, but was forced to move out in 2014 when council cutbacks meant the charity had to make more profitable use out of the studio space.

But after considering alternative locations, including Stourbridge and Bilston, he managed to obtain a space at the Newhampton Arts Centre near his home, where he operated from until his death.

The studio will have to be closed now, Phil said.

Throughout the years David has donated works to various businesses, schools, individuals and charities across Wolverhampton and the West Midlands.

His list of grateful recipients boasts high profile companies and organisations such as Royal Mail, West Midlands Police, the Mander Shopping Centre, Marston's and Edgbaston Cricket Club.

Other clients include Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham and The Mailbox shopping centre also in the city.

He would spend weeks crafting his masterpieces, many of which were more than 2ft tall. In 1998 he carved the letters E and S presenting them to the Express & Star.

That same year he also made a pair of entwined W's out of mahogany and oak which he gave to Wolverhampton Wanderers where it was displayed in the foyer of the ticket office behind the Stan Cullis stand.

One of his latest works was a 2ft long eye containing the words New Street inspired by the opening of Grand Central in Birmingham earlier this year.

The artist has even made works for two separate mayors of Wolverhampton, somewhat ironically considering it was the council's cuts which later forced him out of his beloved studio at Wildside in Whitmore Reans.

The funeral arrangements have yet to be confirmed by the family but Phil said when a date and venue had been announced any people who knew David would be welcome to attend.

And he added: "Anyone who knew David through his work will be very welcome."