Xscape's Cas Vegas cactus lift mural given vibrant upgrade with tribute to Rob Burrow and Wakefield’s mining heritage
Leeds-based artist, Nicolas Dixon has given Xscape Yorkshire a vibrant upgrade with colourful and contemporary additions to his current mural in the centre.
Nicolas’ latest work, titled Castle in the Sky, extends his current lift mural to the first floor, adding 17 new elements that pay tribute to Wakefield’s mining heritage, as well as local cricket and rugby figures, including the number 7 in commemoration of the late Rob Burrow.
The artist was originally commissioned in 2025 to create the mural following the removal of the centre’s iconic ‘Cas-Vegas cactus’ lift in 2024 as part of development works.
The artwork, titled Everything in its Right Place, used biomorphic shapes in Nicolas’ signature vivid colours to subtly represent local landmarks and hometown heroes, including Henry Moore, Viv Nicholson and Castleford Tigers.
Following its opening in 2003, the 12-metre cactus-shaped lift had served hundreds of thousands of guests and became a well-known regional landmark.
After its removal, it was commemorated with a blue plaque and references within Nicolas’ mural.
With 15 years of experience as a professional artist, he is also the artist behind the iconic ‘Bielsa the Redeemer’, hailed as one of “football’s greatest works of street art”.
Nicolas said: “Xscape Yorkshire is an incredibly vibrant destination, and the original mural was created to reflect that, so it’s great to have been asked to return to extend the design further.
“The 17 new symbols and icons are an evolution of the original artwork, each with their own hidden meaning waiting to be discovered – including some personal and sentimental touches which make Castle in the Sky all the more important to me.
"Speaking with members of the local community, including former miners, was especially inspiring and influenced elements of the mural, including the miners winding wheel and a tribute to the memory of Rob Burrow.”
Jason Warren, Centre Director at Xscape Yorkshire, said: “We’re delighted to see Nicolas Dixon build on the success of Everything in its Right Place with this striking new extension to the mural.
“Castle in the Sky celebrates so much of what makes Wakefield and the wider Yorkshire region special, from its proud industrial heritage to its sporting icons, including a tribute to Rob Burrow, and gives guests another vibrant feature to discover during their visit to Xscape Yorkshire.”