Bradford Through the Lens

Description

Join award-winning and internationally acclaimed artist and photographer, Ian Beesley, as he shares photographs from his new coffee-table-style book, Life: A Retrospective, which captures over 45 years of industrial Bradford.  

Bradford-born Beesley will take you back in time as he presents his black and white images, taken across the Bradford District since the 1970s, whilst he shares stories of his own life, and how this intertwines with the rich history of our beloved Bradford, reflected through his captivating photographs.  

Check out Ian Beesley Exhibition: Bradford Through the Lens, displayed at BLF’s Festival Hub, to view a selection of Beesley’s photographs from his book and become immersed in industrial Bradford. 

Reflection Session 

After the talk, join us for an optional reminiscence session on Bradford’s industrial history, which offers a unique opportunity to share and celebrate your personal memories related to Bradford’s storied past. Whether it’s tales from your own experiences or stories passed down through generations, your contributions enrich our collective history.  

So, we invite you to come share your stories and be part of Bradford’s living history. 

About the Artist

Ian Beesley

Bradford-born Ian Beesley has been documenting his home city and the north of England for over 45 years. His early work in the late-1970s captured the everyday lives of working- class people: kids playing street games, fans chanting for Bradford City FC, and grafters employed in vast Victorian factories. In the 1980s, he proceeded to document the demise of heavy industries, such as mining, iron and steel production. Published by Bluecoat Press, Beesley’s photobook, Life, presents his record of Bradford and the north’s shifting social landscape.
He is currently artist in residence for the Bradford Institute for Health Research and a season ticket holder at Bradford City.

@IanBeesleyphoto