An autistic artist from Middleton in Rochdale, Greater Manchester has spoken out about the role that railway stations have played in his mission to inspire the region’s neurodivergent residents.
Dez, who also goes by the name LoveArtPix, is an artist and campaigner whose work can be found at transport hubs across the North West.
Speaking as part of an event to mark Autism Awareness Month (1-30 April), Dez said: “Railway stations are a great ‘platform’ for my work.
“Not everyone will find themselves in an art gallery or exhibition hall, but millions of people pass through train stations every year as they go about their daily lives – and it is in these everyday moments that, I believe, you can really inspire someone.”
In June 2020, his first artwork at a railway station was unveiled at Manchester Oxford Road and just under a year later his work appeared at Manchester Victoria as part of a series of events to mark the fourth anniversary of the Manchester Arena attack.
And it is at Manchester Victoria where two of his biggest pieces of art can be found, with a huge mural of the Manchester skyline and a tribute to the station itself found on the passenger footbridge that links many of the platforms.
Other stations on the Northern network that have inspired artwork by Dez include Blackpool North in Lancashire and Grange-over-Sands in Cumbria.
Dez added: “I find creating artwork a great way to focus and my message is always one of positivity – to encourage people to keep going, stay focussed, don’t be deterred and never stop asking questions!”
For his work and contribution to the local community, Dez won an Autism Hero Award in 2023 and has recently been nominated for the Positive Role Model for Disability Award in the National Diversity Awards 2024.
Craig Harrop, regional director for Northern, said: “Dez is an incredible guy and a real inspiration.
“Over several years now, we’ve been able to develop our partnership with him and showcase his work as well as the meaning behind it to millions of customers passing through our stations.
“His is an important message and we’re happy to support it.”
Image credit: LoveArtPix
