A BRADFORD-born photographer will showcase nearly 50 years of his work at a new exhibition in the district.

LIFE. Ian Beesley: Retrospective, which opens on Saturday, August 20, features hundreds of black and white and colour images taken across the Bradford district and beyond since the 1970s.

The free exhibition, located in the roof space of Salts Mill, includes sections dedicated to different themes of his work including photographs of Bradford mills of yesteryear, Bradford Bulls, the Bantams, coal mines and pubs from Bradford taken during the 1970s and 80s.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The map of Bradford shows where Ian Beesley took each photo on display in this section of his exhibitionThe map of Bradford shows where Ian Beesley took each photo on display in this section of his exhibition

Other highlights include a nine-metre-long set of photographs of the descent into the pit at Hay Royds Coal Colliery, located between Huddersfield and Barnsley.

It is the first time Mr Beesley has held a retrospective of his career’s work in the UK after previous similar exhibitions took place in Finland and China.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Some of the many images captured by Ian Beesley which form part of the exhibition at Salts MillSome of the many images captured by Ian Beesley which form part of the exhibition at Salts Mill

‘A Song of Goodbye’ a poem by Ian McMillan is also on show, as is a display each of the nicknames of 274 miners who worked at a pit which closed in 2006.

There is also a framed newspaper cutting from a national newspaper of an article featuring the photographer’s favourite picture. However, the newspaper article used a photograph of the wrong Ian Beesley, mistakenly using one of a South African gangster with the same name instead.

 

Beesley, 68, said: “We had this exhibition planned pre-Covid.

“We have moved into the roof space and it has taken us three weeks to install it.

“I’m really happy that the exhibition is here at Salts Mill as I have photographed it when It was a working mill and derelict and since then. I have had a productive relationship with them.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Ian Beesley takes a closer look at some of the items on display at his exhibitionIan Beesley takes a closer look at some of the items on display at his exhibition

“I’m surprised by how much work I have done.

“There has been a lot of interest from people over the years into me doing an exhibition like this.”

After working at Esholt Sewage works, Mr Beesley took up photography and eventually was accepted to study at Bradford Art College His work is held in the collections of Bradford City Art galleries and museums, the National Media Museum, the Imperial War Museum and the V & A London.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: A nine-metre long display of photographs of a minor's descent into a pit A nine-metre long display of photographs of a minor's descent into a pit

LIFE: Ian Beesley: Retrospective will be open every Wednesday to Sunday between 11am and 4pm until October 30. 

Mr Beesley will be taking tours of the exhibition on Saturday, September 17, Saturday, October 1 and 22, all at 11.05am. Go to saltsmillshop.co.uk for more information about tickets, which need to be booked in advance.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Some of the images captured by Ian Beesley of Bradford's industrial pastSome of the images captured by Ian Beesley of Bradford's industrial past

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Two of the twins Ian Beesley photographed for the Born in Bradford projectTwo of the twins Ian Beesley photographed for the Born in Bradford project