“TO be in Bradford is to be at a second home.”
Those are the words of an internationally renowned artist as he takes a deeply personal look at migration, identity and community in a special exhibition that forms part of this year’s countdown to Bradford 2025.
Osman Yousefzada’s ‘Where it Began’ at Cartwright Hall invites viewers to contemplate themes of labour, social class, immigration, and the impact of colonialism on human bodies.
The exhibition is an iteration of ‘What Is Seen and What Is Not’ - Yousefzada’s recent solo show at the V&A museum but includes new works and outdoor commissions created specifically for Bradford.
The exhibition features work both inside and outside the gallery and its title encompasses different themes – historical relationships between the British Empire and South Asia regarding textiles and Yousefzada's father arriving in Bradford during the wave of Commonwealth migration in the 1960s to labour at Crofts Engineering foundry, to concepts of belonging, identity and homemaking.
Yousefzada has wrapped various busts and statues at the gallery, including a marble bust of Queen Victoria and the statue 'Humanity Overcoming War'.
Over the past few months, he has been working closely with Bradford-based fabricator Set Stage to develop his wrapped works into a large-scale temporary public sculpture, which now envelops the Diana the Huntress sculpture in Lister Park (pictured in blue).
Yousefzada said “To be in Bradford is to be at a second home. Where my father arrived as an immigrant to find a new life.
“To recount these forgotten tales across generations of change, upheaval, struggle and resilience is an honour.
“‘Where it Began’ is a celebration of this city enabling me to share narratives that unite us and through the power of storytelling we create more understanding and hopeful futures.”
Shanaz Gulzar, creative director for Bradford 2025, said "We’re delighted to be working with Bradford District Museums and Galleries to present Osman Yousafzada's exhibition at Cartwright Hall.
“A teaser event for Bradford 2025 it gives a flavour of what’s to come next year; an internationally renowned artist with connections to our region, creating new work in our stunning green spaces and one of Bradford’s iconic cultural buildings.”
James Steward, Bradford District Museums and Galleries manager at Bradford Council added: “We are delighted to be launching this, the first of our UK City of Culture exhibitions as we countdown to what will be an ambitious and compelling public programme in 2025 for Bradford District Museums and Galleries.
“I’m sure visitors will enjoy Osman Yousefzada’s reinterpretation of Cartwright Hall’s sculpture court.
“We will be pleased to welcome visitors from across the district and beyond to explore our summer programme, not just at Cartwright Hall but also at our other venues across the district.”
Where It Began is presented in partnership between Bradford District Museums and Galleries and Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture. It will run from May 3 until October 13.
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