PAINT JOB IS THE ULTIMATE MERC-OVER!
Northern Quarter artist transforms £130,000 black Mercedes into a kaleidoscope of colour
AN acclaimed Northern Quarter artist has been given his biggest commission yet - painting a £130,000 Mercedes by hand.
Ben Daye has amassed a huge following on Instagram for intricate designs on Adidas trainers.
And his vibrant street art caught the eye of a successful businessman who handed over his flash Mercedes G-Wagen for a unique makeover.
Newcastle-based entrepreneur Connor Hoyle handed artist Ben the keys, telling him: ‘Do what you want with it’.
And the talented 22-year-old artist - who has 40,000 Instagram fol- lowers under name From-Virginia Ben - spent three days working on the design at his Mason Street studio in the city centre.
He has already worked with the likes of Adidas thanks to his colourful and edgy designs. His work has also caught the eye of a number of Manchester footballers.
Ben says working on the car was a ‘dream job’.
He said: “It’s such a big responsibilty but he knows my designs and trusts me. It’s been amazing to work on something of this scale.”
Self-taught Ben, originally from Blackley, confessed he didn’t finish his time at Manchester Academy and never had any formal art lessons.
He said: “I started drawing names and designs on people’s shoes when I was at school but left when I was in year 10. It just wasn’t for me.
“I don’t really know where I get my inspiration comes from, I just start drawing and it goes from there.”
Some of the more unusual items he has been asked to put his designs on are a pram and also a barber’s chair.
Most of his sales of shoes are actually to other countries, America in particular.
“I send so many shoes to America, it’s crazy how much they love this kind of design.
“I get so many messages from kids who say they have saved up to get a pair and then they send me pictures of them wearing them.
“That feels really good to know you are making things people really love.”
He is in talks with Nike about future collaborations and says he would love to move to America but will always remember his roots.
“I’m a really proud to be a Mancunian and am proud of where I’m from. I just want to be able to share my designs with people all over the world.”
‘It’s such a big responsibility but he knows my designs and trusts me’