Foundation opens photography exhibition celebrating the artwork of young people in Bradford

The Click & Connect exhibition is now on display at the Foundation's City Hub. Image by Kimia Modaressi Chahardehi.

The Bradford City FC Community Foundation has opened an art exhibition at its City Hub, spotlighting and celebrating photography created by young people in the city.

The Click & Connect exhibit showcases work created by young people who live in Bradford, each with a series of their own photographs displayed on the City Hub’s walls. The exhibition is the result of weeks of workshops delivered by acclaimed local photographer Shy Burhan.

Pavan Sembi, who has overseen the project from conception to creation as part of the Foundation, said: “I am very proud to be able to showcase the fantastic artworks that our young people have produced. Click & Connect has been a fantastic way to bring young people together to do something positive, creative and active. Seeing their growth over their time spent on the course has been a privilege, and now we are able to celebrate them and their work permanently.”  

Local photographer Shy Burhan (right) ran a series of photography workshops with local young people as part of the project. Image by Kimia Modaressi Chahardehi.

The photography exhibition features a range of works which capture Bradford landmarks, including the University of Bradford Stadium and Oxenhope railway station, alongside personal images which highlight the lived experiences of young people living, studying and working in Bradford.

Each young person took part in a series of workshops devised and delivered by Shy Burhan. The workshops included explorations of heritage, different shooting styles and genres, symbolism, the use of reflections and shadows, and selfie ideas. 

Shy Burhan said: “I have loved getting to know the young people I have worked with on the Click & Connect project. Each one has revealed themselves as a talented photographer throughout the duration of the programme. Photography is for everyone, and I’d like to thank the Foundation and Northern for enabling young people to connect with the artform. Seeing their work exhibited is a massive deal for them, and a huge source of pride for me personally.”

Participants also explored areas of Bradford on a series of inspirational photography walks, which included a look around historic buildings in Manningham, Salts Mill, Bolling Hall, Haworth and a journey on the Worth Valley Steam Train.

Amelia Beckett, of ITV news, attended the exhibition opening, broadcasting live. Image by Kimia Modaressi Chahardehi.

Those techniques and those journeys have now come to life in the form of the exhibition, with each young person employing a range of skills in capturing their images.

Iqra Khan, a participant on the course, said: “It is surreal seeing my work exhibited on the walls in the City Hub. I have loved learning, growing and connecting with other people on the course, and Shy has been a fantastic teacher. Being able to express myself as a young person living and working in Bradford, and to share the way I see the city I know and love, is very humbling.”

Iqra Khan (right) is a participant on Click & Connect, and has her photography on display in the exhibition. Image by Kimia Modaressi Chahardehi.

The workshops and the exhibition have been supported by the Northern Community Fund, with the rail network funding the exhibition and supporting the participant’s journeys across Bradford and the wider district.

The exhibition shall be hosted permanently at the Foundation’s City Hub, a community space which hosts many initiatives run by the Foundation, including a dementia and Parkinson’s-friendly Moments Cafe; a SSAFA coffee morning supporting all serving, ex-serving and family of the UK Armed Forces; a weekly food pantry; and cafe which is open before every Bradford City AFC home league game. 

The City Hub is located opposite the Bradford City AFC club shop, and members of the public are invited to come in and view the exhibition during its opening times.

The project and the exhibition has been spported by the Northern Community Fund. Image by Kimia Modaressi Chahardehi.