An artist whose creations were made at a studio in Hackney for people with brain injury is having a public display on Old Street’s ‘digital canvas’ outdoor billboard.

Jason Ferry, who has had an abscess in his brain for the past eight years and has suffered a stroke, exhibits with Hackney’s Submit to Love Studios collective at the Headway East London rehab centre in Haggerston, run for 40 self-taught artists with brain injuries.

Many, like Jason, have shown how art has helped them rediscover what they can accomplish following their injuries.

“My mind goes completely blank when I am drawing and painting,” he explains. “I just think of what’s in front of me and really concentrate and not ‘overthink’ things.

“My inspiration comes from putting paint on paper and letting the colours lead the way.”

Ferry uses art as a therapy to help overcome his disability.

“I am basically the same person and have to be optimistic,” Jason insists. “My brain injury is not the ‘be all’ and ‘end all’.

“Art is important and it’s meaningful to see it displayed in such a prestigious location for thousands of passers-by to see.”

Ferry’s collection is being exhibited on the digital billboard at the Old Street roundabout by 25 satellite screens, viewed 360,000 times a week by commuters using the tube station.

The studio’s recent exhibition at the Barbican on the role of art in brain injury rehabilitation received a 5-star review in the national press before it went on a four-month tour of top London venues.

The project was started in 2018 by Hackney Council with City Outdoor and Wildstone advertising media companies to raise exposure of art to wider public and to create access to art through new technology.

City Outdoor chief executive Charlie Thorp said: “Jason’s artwork challenges audiences passing our Old Street digital screen, alongside commercial advertising. It encourages creativity and enriches the public space.”

Artists submit their work for a two-week promotion, displayed for 10 seconds every minute with the other 50 seconds for regular commercial advertising.

Ferry’s work was chosen to raise awareness of art as rehabilitation to those with brain injuries and is being displayed until May 5.