Manningham’s Boogie Woogie

OPEN: An official ribbon cutting was held last weekend, with Fazal Haq, performing the honour in front of some of the young artists and local residents

Young people bring art to the heart of Bradford

A new piece of exciting artwork is now on display in Bradford after a team of youngsters from the city came together to spread a message of ‘peace’ through art.

ART: The tile design, entitled ‘Bradford Boogie Woogie’ was officially opened last weekend and was created by young people form Manningham Housing Association

Young residents from Manningham Housing Association were joined by local artist, Razwan ul-Haq, in the Bradford Boogie Woogie project, mixing traditional Arabic calligraphy with contemporary art.

After months of planning, and weeks of workshops, a final piece of art was produced, constructed out of tiles and reading ‘salaam’, translated to ‘peace’ in English.

Last weekend, a ribbon cutting ceremony took place at Clarendon Court, on Lumb Lane, Manningham, to officially open the ‘two-metre by two-metre’ design.

On hand at the event were the budding artists, parents, residents and staff from Manningham Housing Association as well as Razwan.

The passionate artist said he has worked previously with the group yet this year’s initiative, funded by the Arts Council, was much bigger than anything anything he had undertaken with the group before.

He explained: “I have been involved with Manningham Housing Association previously through doing drop-in sessions as well as entertaining at the annual mela.

“This time, we decided to do something a little different and attempt to fuse my passion of traditional calligraphy with a more modern approach.

“The final design idea was from a young primary school pupil called Sehar Khan, and it is based on the work of artist, Piet Mondrian, who made the Broadway Boogie Woogie.”

In total 23 young people, aged from primary school age to 18-years-old, were involved in the project which also included a number of workshops looking at different types of art, and trips to local museums in Wakefield.

Razwan added: “It was great to have so many young people involved with the project and they were all so enthusiastic.

“I really enjoyed working with everyone and I am sure that the phrase ‘Boogie Woogie’ has never been heard so much in Bradford.”

The Bradford Boogie Woogie is now a permanent fixture in the city.

CONSTRUCTION: Youngsters get hands on with the creation of Bradford’s Boogie Woogie tiles