Leedsa restaurant's abstract new look has the X factor

X marks the spot - and in the case of a new mural created by Leeds artist Nicolas Dixon, it also serves as a nod to a restaurant's heritage as well as looking to its future.
VIBRANT: Nicolas Dixon with his mural at Matt Healy x The Foundry.VIBRANT: Nicolas Dixon with his mural at Matt Healy x The Foundry.
VIBRANT: Nicolas Dixon with his mural at Matt Healy x The Foundry.

The abstract painter was chosen by Masterchef: The Professional 2016 runner-up Matt Healy to create a stunning new mural for his new restaurant at the 18th century former engineering works in Holbeck, Matt Healy x The Foundry.

He took inspiration from the x-shaped brackets used to pin the brickwork, Healy’s fruity language and the name of the restaurant for the piece, entitled Xpletives, which was finished yesterday just in time for the grand opening today.

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Mr Dixon said: “It’s an exciting venture, a Leeds chef and a Leeds artist and we wanted to really make a proper statement.

“It was a short turn around, as I’ve just got back from working in Australia.
“Matt’s tagline for the restaurant is ‘food to swear by’, and the x in the piece is a nod to that, and that Matt, as a typical chef, is rather loose with his tongue, and the crosses in the brickwork around the foundry.”

Mr Healy said the design fitted in with the fun ideals of the restaurant.

“It really makes the restaurant pop. We wanted to brighten the place up, and make sure it wasn’t stuffy - and the mural itself almost encourages you to have fun, try new food and wine, and have a great time.

“We wanted to bring the restaurant kicking and screaming into the 21st century.”

Matt Healy x The Foundry opens today.