Manchester is the most inspirational city in the world, according to a Polish artist who has moved his life to the city.

Bartosz Beda feels so passionately about Manchester that he is willing to be parted from his wife, who lives in America.

The 31-year-old says he does go back to the USA to spend time with his partner but enjoys the city life here too much to leave permanently.

He said: “I studied at the Manchester School of Art and just loved the whole city.

“There is so much inspiration here. The people and the buildings. The main thing I love about Manchester is there are always events going on which makes it very modern and thriving.

“Yet there is so much history based around the industrial revolution. And it’s the relationship between the two that I find most fascinating.

“To have this opportunity in Manchester is priceless.”

He rents a space in Rogue Studios, off Chapeltown Street, where he and around 100 other artists create their work.
The building – which was formerly a factory – has been home to artists for the past two decades and celebrates its 20-year anniversary later this year.
“The space here is fantastic, there is so much history to it and it has a story to tell.
“That’s what I love about the city. Inspiration is everywhere.”

His work has been featured in the Saatchi Gallery in London, with exhibitions in Madrid and Bogota, and he worked on the Oscar-award winning animation Peter and The Wolf, in 2005.

Photos: Eddie Garvey

He added: “Manchester has everything that London has to offer but here the people and the atmosphere is so much better.
“There is time to wind down and slow down, rather than be busy and bustling all day every day. It’s very refreshing.
“That’s why for me, Manchester is the best city in the world for artists and I can not see myself leaving here.”

His work is priced between £500 and £8,000.

Photos: Mark Waugh

He said he draws inspiration from the feeling of a place, rather than specific buildings or faces or scenery.“I want my art to be something to look at and think about.“It’s not all pretty so people look at it and think it’s nice and forget about it. I want people to be challenged in what they see.”

He mixes abstract styles with portraits.

• Visit http://bartoszbeda.com for more information.