Where it Began from Osman Yousefzada at Cartwright Hall

The exhibition has opened at Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, with artworks created specifically for the city.

In this month’s column, Bradford 2025 spoke to Osman Yousefzada about his new exhibition and his deep connection to Bradford. Says Osman:

“Bradford is a city of stories, histories and memories. The city holds a special place in the hearts of people from all over the world and is a character in the stories of many families, including my own - which is something I wanted to explore in my exhibition.

My father first arrived in Bradford during the first wave of Commonwealth migration in the 1960s. He worked in a local factory, called Crofts. Knowing that he arrived here, in Bradford, makes me feel connected to him and to the city.

I also have cousins who continue to live in and around the city and throughout my childhood I spent summers in Bradford. In my eyes, being in Bradford is like being at a second home. When I’m in Bradford I feel deeply attached to my family’s story and the place they, like many others, arrived at to find a new life.

The story of my father resonates with many communities across the country, whose families arrived in UK cities, particularly Bradford, from across the world to work in mills and factories. I am particularly interested in how these stories of migration and labour come together and want to revisit these forgotten stories of change, struggle and resilience. I titled my exhibition Where It Began as an homage to my father’s story and other migrants whose stories began in Bradford.

Where It Began brings together works from my recent solo show at the Victoria & Albert (V&A) Museum in London, with new unique artworks that I’ve created especially for the unique region of Bradford.

My works, both inside and outside the gallery, explore worlds of movement, injustices, borders, migration and creativity. Through a series of textiles, videos and sculptures, I am inviting visitors to consider themes of class, immigration and colonialism- through my eyes.

In lots of cultures, the art of wrapping is how people protect their precious objects. Throughout my childhood I observed my mum delicately wrap sentimental objects carefully in fabric to ensure that they were protected. I’ve adopted this traditional practise in my artwork and have wrapped the Diana the Huntress statue outside Cartwright Hall, to protect it, in my own way.

Osman wrapped the Diana the Huntress statue “to protect it in my own way” (Image: David Lindsay)

As you enter the gallery’s main hall, you will see many of my works exploring the themes I mentioned earlier. Notably, you will see a boat, like the one I am pictured in. I chose a boat like this because through the exhibition I wanted to focus on movement and the journey to a new life.

In the main hall, you will also see my wrapping of Humanity Overcoming War and my wrapping of Queen Victoria. The marble bust of Queen Victoria, wrapped in embroidered chintz fabric, symbolises Bradford’s rich textile history and the mills, like the one my father worked at.

As you venture upstairs, the exhibition starts to tell another story. The balcony area is dedicated to female migrants, stories that don’t get told or documented. The folds and knots in clay and glass are markers of identity, movement and the story of migrants who always arrive and never unpack. These are stories of our mothers and grandmothers - well mine at least.

I’m honoured to do a show like this in a place like Bradford. I want to make sure art encompasses these important stories of movement and communities. I am so pleased that my exhibition is now open for all to enjoy.

I’d like to thank Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture for allowing my exhibition to prelude the year of culture in 2025 and for working with me on this project.”

* Where it Began is at Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, in Lister Park, until October 13. It is free to visit.