BRADFORD photographer Shy Burhan has celebrated turning 40 by taking portraits of other people facing the milestone birthday this year. Now she has been awarded an Arts Council grant to develop an exhibition, and to have the images projected onto buildings during Illuminate Bradford.

Shy displayed 20 portraits during Saltaire Festival and plans to exhibit 40 in total at the village’s Holding Space gallery from February 1. She is appealing for people to take part. “I want to celebrate diversity,” she said. “I’m particularly looking for people from various ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities, anyone who feels under-represented.

“In 2018, 40 still seems quite young. We’re all different shapes, we have different outlooks, different neuroses. Being the same age puts us on a level playing-field.”

Shy has received £11,180 from the Arts Council to complete her ‘Forty’ project. As well as the second exhibition, she plans to showcase her portraits on Bradford’s Big Screen in City Park and at Illuminate Bradford from November 30 to December 2.

"I'm elated to have this grant, and recognition from such a distinguished organisation," said Shy, who is working with local artist Jenny Wilson of Irregular Arts, Anne McNeill, director of Bradford's Impressions Gallery, Jim Brady, exhibitions co-ordinator at the Holding Space, and videographer Jon King of Envisuals, who plans to make a short documentary on the project.

Prior to photographing her subjects, Shy asks them the same 40 questions. “An element of their answers ends up in their portrait, and I weave in people’s life stories,” she said. “It’s a privilege to talk to people about their lives; it can get very emotional.”

Her portraits include Katie Phillips, diagnosed with dyslexia at university. “Tutors treated her like she was a bit ‘special’, in a sometimes derogatory tone. So getting her degree then her Masters was an ‘I showed you’ moment,” said Shy. Katie is photographed with a Rubik's Cube, reflecting how she often sees things in coloured patterns.

Giorgia Previdol is pictured with a viola, representing how she loves to cuddle her year-old daughter, Viola. “Giorgia was born in Genoa and said she thought the period just after the war was an exciting time to be in Italy, with the end of Facism,” said Shy. “I had a friend who has a vintage business dress her up in a vintage suit and make-up and incorporated that into ‘shychetype’ portrait.”

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