Trapezium Arts and documentary photographer Cath Muldowney, have joined forces for an initiative to regenerate the highstreets in South Bradford, by bringing art to vacant shop windows.
The work is a modern interpretation of ‘Tronies’, consisting of large photographic portraits of people from the local community who live, work and play in the hugely diverse area of Bradford. In keeping with ‘Tronies’, stylistically the portraits are bold, colourful, with strong light contrasts and highlight the positive human qualities of local individuals as well as the district’s distinctive cultural strengths and diversity.
Cath Muldowney is a social documentary photographer working on city streets. She has exhibited in Bradford, Shipley and Halifax. Cath has lived in the South Bradford area for most of her life and has contacts in the local communities through her previous photographic projects in the area.
Venues:
216 High Street, Wibsey, BD6 1QP
624 Great Horton Road, BD7 3ER
58 High Street, Queensbury, BD13 2PF
The Streets Ahead project was commissioned by City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (CBMDC) to create temporary artworks (that are specific to places in South Bradford and relevant to the diverse communities and businesses) in the windows of vacant units.
The Streets Ahead project complements a broader programme: creative high streets, a marketing campaign to welcome people back, outdoor markets, high street events and temporary public realm improvements.
The aim is to drive footfall to our high streets and urban centres to increase local spend, support our small businesses and stimulate the recovery.
The activity is funded by Welcome Back Fund and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
Bradford Council secured Welcome Back Fund from the Government’s Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to deliver activity and interventions to draw residents and visitors back to high streets to help drive the recovery. A key driver for this is support for small businesses on the high street that have been impacted by the Covid-19 restrictions.
Please look out for our artwork on your travels. We hope they have helped to brighten up the urban landscape in these locations.
