A BUSY junction in Shipley has become a temporary art gallery - hosting work from an acclaimed photography exhibition.

Impressions Gallery, based in City Park, has installed three, large-scale powerful photographs by Ruba al-Hindawi, a Syrian refugee, and documentary photographer Rich Wiles, on three prominent billboards at Bradford Road.

The billboards offer us a glimpse into the life of the al-Hindawi family, a refugee family from Syria, admitted to the UK in 2017, under the British government’s resettlement scheme.

The photograph by Ruba al-Hindawi showcases the energy of her children in movement and joy; with Hanan and Rayan playing with a dog in their neighbour’s garden. Yazan enjoying a trip to the seaside, and the first time dipping his toes into the North Sea is captured by Rich Wiles.

The other photograph, also by Wiles, presents an intimate family portrait, capturing the alHindawi family as they take a group selfie to send to members of their extended families who are displaced across several countries.

The three individual photographs are from the exhibition In Which Language Do We Dream? a five year collaboration between the al Hindawi family and Rich Wiles.

This exhibition received its UK premiere at Impressions Gallery last Summer to acclaim from both press and visitors.

Ruba said: “Photographs stay with you forever, they bring your memories back. Every time I take photos I feel good and relaxed. We feel happy here, but we really miss home.”

In Which Language Do We Dream? billboards are part of Open Out, Impressions’ yearlong programme presenting innovative contemporary photography on the streets of Bradford.

Last year the large windows of the former Natwest on Hustlergate hosted images from the gallery's Being Inbetween exhibition.

Impressions Gallery uses listed building to bring art to Bradford city centre streets

On view for two weeks only, the Shipley installation is a unique opportunity to see these photographs at such an impactful large scale.

Pedestrians passing by on Bradford Road, can activate, with their smart phones, QR codes displayed on the billboards. This will take them to a digital presentation of a specially published newspaper which features some of the al-Hindawi family’s personal stories through the photographs of Ruba, and her children Mustapha, Yazan and Hanan.

With expert guidance from Rich Wiles who assisted Ruba and her children with their technical and creative skills the family began taking their own photographs.

The In Which Language Do We Dream? newspaper offers its readers the chance to see the new and rich friendships the children have formed and playful moments as they go about their everyday life. The photographs are about hope and new beginnings, and as such help challenge the stereotypical images of refugees and asylum seekers we often see in mainstream media.

Anne McNeill, Director of Impressions Gallery said: “We are proud that Impressions Gallery is based in Bradford City of Sanctuary, aiming to create a place that is more inclusive and welcoming.

"We are very pleased to be able to present this series of bold, inspiring photographs in which displaced people themselves tell their own stories. We are overjoyed that these are presented outdoors in a public place, for everyone to see and enjoy.”

Rich Wiles says, “The collaborative way in which Ruba and I worked together attempts to challenge power structures that can be inherent in some photography projects.

"This collaboration offers viewers an intimate window into the lives of displaced people rebuilding their lives, and contrasts with misrepresentations often portrayed in the media.

"We all believe this work needs to be seen and its ideas discussed as widely as possible. It’s thanks to Impressions Gallery through its Open Out programme that these photographs will be seen by thousands of people on a daily basis.”

The images will be in place until February 15.