Page 33 - Real Rochdale Issue 16 Winter 2022

Self-taught autistic artist

shortlisted for award

LoveArtPix, from Middleton,

creates art on his phone using

free app, Picsart.

Photo: www.paulmoorephotography.co.uk
Artist Dez – known as LoveArtPix – has
been creating art for four years using the Artwork by LoveArtPix on the overbridge at Manchester Victoria
free phone app to help him cope with daily
life and give him focus.

The mural was unveiled in Dez’s artwork can also be some amazing inspirational
Now from having public art unveiled by August by the High Sheriff seen at Oxford Road people who have been very
mayors and high sheriffs, and raising
thousands of pounds for charities, Dez, 43, of Greater Manchester and Station and the Nag’s Head supportive and continue to
pub on Jackson’s Row, as well
depicts the words I LOVE
help me with my endeavours
has been shortlisted for the Rising Star/ MCR VICTORIA in bright as Blackpool, around Cumbria to spread awareness of
Emerging Talent award in this year’s ‘This Let it out, let it in.. by LoveArtPix
is Manchester’ awards. yellow letters, surrounded by and even in France, at the neurodivergent conditions.
22 Manchester bees, one for Normandy Memorial Trust.
each panel on the overbridge. “Since I am self-taught, this is
Dez was originally diagnosed with bipolar Dez plans to get his name out a huge achievement for me.”
disorder when he was in his 20s, but has His work also features on the there and continue raising
since been diagnosed with autism, and columns of the memorial to awareness for autism. Winners are due to be
is in the process of being diagnosed with commemorate the victims of announced at a ceremony at
ADHD.
the Manchester arena He added: “Art has really the Hilton Hotel in
bombing in 2017. changed my life and I have met Manchester on 3 November.
He said: “I use art as my own personal
therapy to express my emotions when they
become too overpowering. Art helps me to
focus and to channel my erratic thoughts.
This has become a positive pattern that I
use daily as a life skill and coping strategy
which I feel many others could benefit
from.

“My autistic diagnosis has changed my
life in so many ways and everything finally
makes sense in relation to how and why I
see the world in the way I do.”

Earlier this summer, Dez was
commissioned by Northern to create a
30-metre mural at Manchester Victoria
station to bring some colour to the bridge
to platforms 4, 5 and 6.
Dez
REAL ROCHDALE - WINTER 2022 32 Photo: www.paulmoorephotography.co.uk 33 REAL ROCHDALE - WINTER 2022