AN AWARD-WINNING Pakistani artist is set to transform Bradford’s Lister Park and City Park with a major new outdoor commission inspired by the million-strong British Indian army that fought in the First World War.

‘Garden Within A Garden’, which will be on display from June 22, is the brainchild of Imran Qureshi, who lives and works in Lahore but is arriving in Bradford this week to start planning his work.

The piece has been co-commissioned by 14-18 NOW, the UK’s arts programme for the First World War centenary, Bradford Council, and Yorkshire Festival 2016.

Lahore lies within a region of Pakistan that as part of the British Raj, enlisted a huge number of Muslim, Sikh, and Hindu soldiers to fight on the Western Front.

It is their experiences of being at war in a distant land and in a hostile climate that will inform Mr Qureshi’s latest work.

He will paint with acrylics directly onto the paving in City Park and the Mughal Water Gardens in Lister Park in a delicate style inspired by the historic craft of Pakistani and Indian miniature painting.

‘Garden Within A Garden’ is part of the Yorkshire Festival 2016, which will present hundreds of performances and events all over the county from June 16 to July 3.

Born in Hyderabad, Pakistan, in 1972, Mr Qureshi was awarded the Deutsche Bank Award for Artist of the Year in 2013, and had his first UK solo exhibition at Ikon Gallery in Birmingham in 2014.

His current exhibition, entitled ‘Where the Shadows are so Deep’, is on display at the Barbican Centre until July 10 this year.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s executive member for environment, sport, and culture, said: “Bradford is proud to be part of the World War One Centenary Art Commissions taking place around the country.

“It is an opportune moment for us to reflect on the experiences of people from across the world who fought on the side of the Allies in the First World War and the invaluable contribution they made to the war efforts.

“We hope local people will engage on the ‘Garden Within A Garden’ in this beautiful setting.

“Lister Park is much-loved and enjoyed by nearby residents, and this piece of art will add a further dimension to the Mughal Gardens.”

Yorkshire Festival’s artistic director, Matt Burman, added: “We are thrilled to be co-commissioning this significant new work with Bradford Council and 14-18 NOW, as part of Yorkshire Festival 2016.

“Presenting fantastic and important international artists like Imran Qureshi alongside our county’s finest performers and makers is exciting and essential to all of us at the Festival and our producing partners.

“I hope local people and visitors to Bradford will take time to enjoy and reflect on his beautiful, thought-provoking works.”

Yorkshire Festival is backed by Welcome to Yorkshire with government funding through the Arts Council England as part of the Northern Powerhouse initiative.

14-18 NOW commissions new work by leading contemporary artists from all art forms, inspired by the period 1914 to 1918.