AN ARTIST from East Lancashire has ‘made it in Manhattan’ after securing an exclusive commission at a New York hotel.

Brierfield’s Matt Whistler was asked to showcase his robot art at NYC’s trendy Yotel, on the corner of 10th Avenue and 42nd Street.

His BOTS on 10th gall-ery, in the venue’s Green Lounge, will now run for a month.

The former Mansfield High student said: “It’s probably fair to say that this is my first inter-national exhibition.

“They got in touch with me because they had seen my artwork elsewhere.

“Then they invited me along to the launch. It’s a great place. I even got a complimentary breakfast muffin.”

His street art install-ations — from Bingo BOT, to 10 million rpm BOT, and DJ BOT — have gone down well in the Big Apple.

The 41-year-old, whose professional identity is AKA Whistles, has also seen his collection form part of the Saatchi online gallery.

Matt, now based in Brighton, has combined his art odyssey with his other great love, comedy.

He was behind a 2010 campaign to get The Trashmen’s Surfin’ Bird to number one for Chris-tmas.

And 12 months later he produced a new video for Shakin’ Stevens’ Merry Christmas Everyone, in another festive chart bid.

Matt, who also describes himself as a stuntman, actor and director, said: “I’m possibly the only comedian who combines art with his routine.

“I do my act on a blank canvas.”