Dexuality Valentino

I was born, raised and educated in Manchester. I studied Design and Art Direction with dreams of becoming a graphic designer, but I knew deep down my heart was invested in art, music and writing. I currently live in Blyth, Northumberland. 

As an artist my work is in several private collections across the world and has featured in many books and magazines, in 2019 I was shortlisted for the Refresh Art Prize and my music has featured on BBC Radio 3 Late Junction. I have also had several poems published in books and magazines across the world. Some of these poems have now become songs with my transatlantic band DVEC. A musical duo who have never met. All the music and words are created through emails.

Growing up without television for company, I became an avid reader. This brought me the not so enviable title of, “The 14-year-old boy who had read more books than anyone else in the entire history of the school.” I am pretty sure that title was invented for me by the English teacher that morning. The title came with a book token and plenty of playground mockery. I didn’t care though, my books were always my greatest escape, and now I am creating little worlds for others to escape to.

There is something magical about the short story. In one short journey, you can be transported to somewhere new, be introduced to new characters, their lives love and happiness or misery. Then before your journeys end you depart, as quick as they arrive, they have soon departed, hopefully leaving some mark upon you.

This collection of fourteen short stories, sometimes dark, sometimes funny or surreal began their lives on public transport. I would take sections of random overheard conversations and I would reinvent the scenario, refit those people and words into another place. In all my creative endeavours I like to think to myself, what else can it be? Nothing is really fixed and anything can be something else if you play with it.