My route through Bradford between the various photography galleries had me criss-crossing the City Park area around City Hall. I noticed a new artwork by the acclaimed Pakistani artist Imran Qureshi. Completed last year and painted directly onto the ground, it is actually a two part work: 'Garden within a Garden', with the other piece in the courtyard around the Mughal Water Gardens in Lister Park. It is inspired by and reflects upon the role of the one million soldiers of the Indian Army who fought alongside the British Army in the Second World War. His intricate and lyrical style is influenced by the craft of Pakistani and Indian miniature painting.
In the photo above, the buildings in the background are, on the left, the Alhambra Theatre, built in 1913 and extensively and sympathetically redeveloped in the 1980s. On the right is the 1930s' Odeon cinema, still subject to controversy over whether it should be retained as a listed building and what its purpose should now be. It is apparently stuck in limbo, surrounded by scaffold as it has been for many years.
That is a beautiful artwork, Jenny! I hope that building gets saved and reused.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is beautiful and distinctive work by the artist.
ReplyDeleteI find mural interesting regardless if there on the walls or side walks.
ReplyDeleteI stop in from "Perth Daily Photo" If you find the time stop in for a cup of coffee.
I have so many questions about the mural. How about just one. What happens when it rains? And, where do I vote "yes" on retaining the building? It echoes the Alhambra well, and seems like one of a pair.
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