Artwork chosen by 125 young people from across Bradford goes on display at gallery

PIECES from the Government’s art collection have gone on display in a Bradford gallery as part of City of Culture.

The exhibition, at Cartwright Hall in Lister Park, features artwork that was chosen by 125 young people from across the district.

Called I Am Me, the exhibition reflects the identity of the young people, aged four to 21.

The exhibition is on display from Friday to Monday, May 5, at the Bradford Council-owned gallery.

Cartwright Hall art gallery (Image: T&A)

Curators from Bradford District Museums and Galleries spent six months having conversations and art sessions exploring the artworks with the young people, to choose which pieces from the Government’s extensive art collection to bring to Bradford.

After considering a longlist with a group of young people, a shortlist of 22 works of art on the theme of identity was selected.

Apart from two that are historical, they also offer the viewpoint of British artists working in the UK now.

Christopher Samuel, Estate Portrait, 2018, Pencil and watercolour (Image: Government Art Collection)

There will be a series of events taking place at Cartwright Hall to accompany the exhibition.

Boy with Parrot, early 1700s. Oil painting by Unknown British artist (Image: Government Art Collection) A family event drop-in event called Who am I? will take place during the school half-term holidays on Thursday, February 20 between 11am and 3pm.

The event encourages children to have fun using costumes and drawing, to create their own self-portraits.

Rene Matić, Maggie in pink, 2019, Inkjet print (Image: UK Government Art Collection)

An event to celebrate the exhibition will take place on Saturday, March 22, between 10am and 3pm.

Visitors will be able to take part in pop-up activities led by young people.

There will also be the chance to meet exhibiting artists James Robert Morrison and Charmaine Watkiss alongside local artist Jess Swift at an artist Q&A session 2pm to 3pm.

Matthew Krishanu, Mountain Tent, 2019, oil painting (photo Peter Mallet) (Image: UK Government Art Collection)

On Thursday, April 10, between 5pm and 9pm there will be an evening of activities including new performances by inclusive theatre company Mizkast, DJ sets, and drop-in art activities all linked to the exhibition and led by LGBTQ+ communities.

A young people’s wellbeing day will take place on Saturday, April 12, between 12pm and 3pm, where Healthy Minds Apprentices will be leading a day of wellbeing and sensory activities aimed at young people.

Shanaz Gulzar, creative director at Bradford 2025, said: “Bradford’s population is one of the youngest in the UK, and so it is fitting that young people from the district are at the heart of the I Am Me exhibition.

“It’s exciting to see that they have chosen to feature works by so many contemporary artists from the Government Art Collection, many of which will be seen in Bradford for the first time during our year as UK City of Culture.”