The book, Bradford District MURALS, is an illustrated survey of murals across the Bradford district, with examples dating from 1928 onward.
Wall murals are one of the oldest art forms, dating back at least 40,000 years. There seems to be an intrinsic need for humans to leave their marks on walls and elsewhere to show they have been there, and to say something about themselves or the world around them.
If done well, contemporary mural art has the power to lift our spirits, make us think, revitalise a dull place, and showcase the talents of the artist or artists involved. And, perhaps most important, it makes visual art accessible; it takes art off a pedestal and into everyday places.
‘Warp and Weft’ mural, Morrisons Supermarket, Girlington, Bradford
Although wall murals have been traditionally painted directly onto walls, this survey also showcases murals created with mosaics, nails, as well as those painted on to paper, canvas, board or metal, then secured onto walls, hoardings or other frameworks. It also covers art that has brightened street boxes in parts of the Bradford district.
The survey does not include murals commissioned by companies for advertising reasons, but instead concentrates on those created predominantly for community engagement purposes in publicly accessible places, outside and indoors.
Bantams, Bradford FC mural, Jacobs Well subway, Bradford
Published 2022, by Not Just Hockney, pp.62, size A4, softcovers, with 120 mainly colour illustrations and featuring 50+ locations across the Bradford district, including sites at Ilkley, Keighley, Baildon, Menston and Silsden. It includes the work of 36 named local and other UK based artists, including Graeme Willson, Fin DAC, Mohammed Ali, Jenny Evans, Xanthe Bonsall, Aimee Grundall, Tim Curtis, Ruth Fettis, Tom Cousins, Jameson Rogan, Adam Greasley, 3D Joe, Rota One, Sven Shaw, Marcus Levine, Naureen Hafeez and many more.
‘Bradford is Beautiful’ mural at Glydegate, Bradford