Famous comedian brings artwork to Bradford gallery in exciting exhibition

PAINTINGS by a beloved artist and comedian will go on display in Bradford’s Cartwright Hall later this month – and he has described the exhibition as “a great honour.”

Jim Moir, who also goes by the name Vic Reeves, has entertained generations with his comedy, and is also an accomplished artist.

His new exhibition Neo Fauna will be on display at the Lister Park gallery for five months starting from March 28.

On Monday, the artist was at Cartwright Hall to help set up the exhibition, which is being held in the Hockney Room of the gallery.

Jim Moir and some of his works that will go on display in Cartwright Hall (Image: T&A)

What will the exhibition feature?

The Bradford Council run gallery hosted the 2025 Turner Prize, attracting tens of thousands of visitors.

The gallery has been closed to the public since that exhibition shut last week, and preparations are now underway for its reopening.

Before Hockney’s works are returned to the gallery space that bears his name, Moir’s colourful images of birds and other animals will find a temporary home there.

As well as using a variety of mediums such as watercolour paints, pencil and charcoal, Moir’s style also varies from surreal portraits to realistic images of animals that wouldn’t be out of place in a nature journal.

One of Moir’s paintings (Image: T&A)

‘A fantastic, beautiful building’

He told the Telegraph & Argus: “It’s a great honour to be in here next to the great artists like Hockney and Rossetti.

“I’ve not been here before, I’ve been to Bradford before, but not here. It is a fantastic, beautiful building.

“There is great artwork in here, so I’m honoured to be in here next to it all.

“It’s great to have your work shown in a building like this and not a high street gallery.

“I did the Lady Leaver (a gallery in Bebbington) last year which is grand, and this is probably a bit grander than that – I’m working up in grandness until I end up in the grandest gallery in the world. I don’t know where that is. Maybe I’ll take over the Louvre, I’ll have all the Louvre.”

One of Moir’s artworks (Image: T&A)

Comedian been doing art for years

Asked how he would describe his artwork to people who are not familiar with it, he pointed out he’d been doing it for many years, saying tongue in cheek: “There is a new thing called the internet, people can have a look on there.

“I don’t have to describe things anymore because we live in the future.”

Discussing the different styles of his work, he said: “If I was making music I’d switch from Jazz to classical with a bit of funk in between.

“There is nothing wrong with that, although some people expect artists to stick to the one theme.”

All artwork available to buy

The exhibition runs until August 31, and all artworks will be available to purchase, with a portion of the proceeds supporting Bradford and District Museums and Galleries to remain free and open to all.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places said: “It’s fantastic to welcome Jim Moir to Cartwright Hall.

“Following the success of the Bradford district’s year as UK City of Culture and hosting the Turner Prize in 2025, we are continuing to bring ambitious and engaging exhibitions to the gallery.

“Neo Fauna celebrates close observation of nature and wildlife, which feels especially fitting here in Lister Park.”