Bradford based photographer Ian Beesley’s recent Footprints project has certaintly made a mark for many locals. Ian has said:
“This work is a tribute to all those refugees and asylum seekers who have come to Bradford settled and contributed to the social, cultural and economic structure of the city. The one thing many citizens of Bradford have in common is they will have, at some point in their lives, walked on the stone pavements in the city centre. From three of this paving flags this artwork is created.”
The stones are currently at Salts Mill, but are soon to be installed at BRI.
“I have been a photographer and visual artist for nearly forty years, I am currently the artist in residence for Born in Bradford, a bio-medical research project led by the Bradford institute for health research, artist in residence for IDEAL (improving dementia experience and active living). In recent years my practice has been concerned with health and wellbeing particularly within inner city urban areas especially in the city of Bradford.”
Bradford has received more refugees and asylum seekers than any other city of its size in the UK with people coming from over 90 different countries. Projects like this help to raise awareness and can also help to change misconceptions people may have about new arrivals.
You can see some more images and read about Ian’s brilliant work in a T&A article here: