Bradford and the Wool Industry
Dimensions:102cm x 80cm
Media:Oil on Canvas
This painting starts with the Victorian era of Bradford through to modern times. I began with the slums dwellings of the mill worker, followed by the business world of ‘Little Germany’ through to The Bradford Wool Exchange and The Bradford Reform synagogue. These images are surrounded by ghost like figures of weavers and businessmen from the Victorians to mid nineteenth century Britain. On the right of the picture is modern Bradford(2011). A religious service takes place inside the synagogue while outside mixed ethnic groups walk past. The ‘worsted’ yarns of the past fold into light patterned materials now popular for saris and modern fashions, leading the eye to Bradford Market where these fabrics are sold.
The picture is surrounded by West Yorkshire hills. On the left of the landscape the Victorian theme continues and an impression of mills,collieries and transportation reflect the growing industrial development. Moving towards the right the density of the chimneys fade and scattered mosques can now be seen peering through the hills of the now new Bradford.