Impressions Gallery

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Impressions Gallery

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A charity that helps people understand the world through photography and acts as an agent for change. We believe photography is for everyone.

As one of the first specialist photography galleries in the country, we have played a vital role in changing the way people think about photography. We continue to support and encourage ground-breaking artists who challenge and change photography. We present world-class exhibitions that explore issues such as identity, race, gender and politics. We showcase new and recent work, as well as historical photography outside the mainstream. We work with our communities and support learning at all levels. All our exhibitions and the vast majority of our events are free.

10/10/2026

Hi, this is Keyhan Modaressi Chahardehi sharing work from ‘Our Story, Our City’.

BD18
Taken at Salts Mill, this visitor had recently moved with her son, from China and they were enjoying a lovely day in Saltaire.

Production

BD20
A chance encounter with two men who had recently moved into the area and were out enjoying the weather while walking their dogs.

I liked the simplicity of the moment and the way the photograph captured them enjoying their new surroundings. It felt like a small glimpse into everyday life in the area.

BD23
This photograph features a father and son who had previously lived in the UK but moved to Hong Kong a few years ago. They had returned to the UK to visit family and, while here, went out together as a family to visit Skipton Castle.

I wanted to capture this moment because it reflects the way places can remain connected to people even after they have moved away. Their visit brought them back to a place that had once been home, while also creating new memories with their family.

09/10/2026

Hi, this is Keyhan Modaressi Chahardehi sharing work from ‘Our Story, Our City’.

BD17
I photographed these two friends having their lunch together after learning they had known each other since they were six years old. Their friendship is stronger than ever. I wanted to capture a simple moment between two people who have shared so much of their lives together.

Production

BD17
This couple regularly volunteer and support Shipley Glen Tramway. The money they make through their work goes towards keeping the Tramway open. I wanted to capture the people that give their time to preserve this important part of the local area.

BD21
Two volunteers at the Highfield Community Association in Keighley, where they offer weekly wellbeing groups for the local community. Taken at the women’s group, they share food and do activities to help support mental, emotional and social health.

08/10/2026

Hi, this is Keyhan Modaressi Chahardehi sharing work from ‘Our Story, Our City’.

BD13

BD13 was one of the first postcodes I visited when I started ‘Our Story, Our City.’ As I was walking around the area I came across Callum. A young Bradford resident, who kindly allowed me to photograph him. He had been working with horses for a few months and spoke about how much he enjoyed it, saying that the horses were “right as rain.”

When I asked Callum about living in Bradford, he told me he had “never had a better time.”

This became one of my favourite photographs from the exhibition. For me, the image captures a simple, genuine moment and a side of Bradford that I wanted ‘Our Story, Our City’ to celebrate — the people, places and everyday experiences that make the city what it is.

Production

07/10/2026

Hi, this is Keyhan Modaressi Chahardehi sharing work from ‘Our Story, Our City’.

BD7
Stall holder selling fabric at Cannon Mills, a market which is open every Sunday. Many stall holders have been selling here for years.

Production

BD8
Mangoes have become a familiar part of Bradford’s food culture, particularly during the summer months. Across the city, they can be found being sold from vans, cars and roadside stalls, becoming a recognisable sight on Bradford’s streets.

Many of these mangoes, along with other fruits, are imported from Pakistan and supplied through local warehouses before making their way to independent sellers across the city.

This stall represents one of the many connections between Bradford and Pakistan, reflecting the cultural heritage, food traditions and international links that form an important part of the city’s identity. He’s been selling mangos, and other fruits such as cherries and grapes, for 20 years.

06/10/2026

Hi, this is Keyhan Modaressi Chahardehi sharing work from ‘Our Story, Our City’.

BD1
Known in Bradford as ‘Bird Man’, Barry Roots is a familiar and much-loved figure in the city centre. He spends almost every day feeding the birds in town, taking Sundays off. For Barry, Bradford is home, and he has no desire to leave.
His presence has become part of the character of the city centre, making him one of the recognisable faces of Bradford. Photographing Barry became a way of capturing not just a person, but one of the everyday characters who contribute to the identity and story of BD1.

Production

BD1
This photograph marked the first day of photographing for Our Story, Our City. Two students from Bradford College were taking a break in City Park, enjoying a moment together in the heart of the city. Their everyday interaction captures the ordinary moments and encounters that make up life in Bradford.

BD3
Taken at Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara Temple on Leeds Road. A now practicing Sikh, who was not previously religious, began learning more about his faith and developing a deeper understanding of his Sikh identity and heritage.

05/10/2026

We loved attending ‘The Seeds Take Root’ hosted by The Gaia Foundation QUAD | DERBY this Saturday, a joyous afternoon of inspiring films, discussion, seed saving, bean shelling, composting and general good vibes! Thanks to everyone we met for generously sharing their knowledge and passion at this special event marking the closure of ‘We Feed The UK’ in Derby.

We are buzzing to be bringing this major touring exhibition and national campaign to Bradford from 28 January to 11 April 2027 in partnership with Bradford Culture Company 🌱🐝

—

Northern Seed Sovereignty
ELECTRIC DAISY | DERBY | URBAN COMMUNITY GARDEN | EVENT SPACE
JAMIE | DOWN TO EARTH | NATURE-BASED REGENERATION | DERBY
Nev Portas
Notts Seed Network
Heritage Seed Library

24/09/2026

Hi 👋🏼 I’m Zarah, assisting filmmaker Michael McCabe on the commissioned short films as part of Bradford Family Album.

Here’s another behind-the-scenes sneak peek! This time we filmed my aunt, Samina Ashraf. We spent the day talking about clothing, fashion, growing up in Bradford, and how Samina has solidified her identity as a British-Pakistani citizen through her style. 🥻🪡

Samina was so welcoming and made everyone feel at home. Hearing how she came to find herself through fashion and how she integrates both her Pakistani heritage and Western culture into her own designs was inspiring. From stories about fashion shows put on with the help of her sisters, clothes made for her family at Eid, and even for her wedding. Samina showed how proud she is to be British-Pakistani and the importance of community and cultural heritage.

Hearing my aunt speak so passionately about arts, our heritage and culture, as well as sharing our family stories was amazing. It has been wonderful to see the journey she’s been on to becoming her own person whilst still being proud of her heritage! To have her support and be a part of this project, where Bradford’s diversity is celebrated, makes me feel very proud and grateful to call her family!

The short films will launch this autumn. Looking forward to everyone seeing the final results 🎥

🔗 Find out more by visiting the link in bio.

Bradford Family Album is curated by Impressions Gallery, and was originally produced with Bradford Young Curators as part of a Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture commission. This ongoing project celebrates the people, communities and histories that have shaped the city today.

20/08/2026

✨ Last chance to see ‘Everything in the forest is the forest’ by Clare Hewitt ✨

📍 MAC Midlands Art Centre, Birmingham
📆 Exhibition ends Monday 31 August 2026
🎟 Free entry

A photography exhibition with sustainability and environmental consciousness at its creative heart 🌳🌱

🔗 Find out more via the link in bio.

Image: Blue Tit collecting spider webs for their nest © Clare Hewitt

Curated by Anne McNeill with assistance from Jane Hiley, ‘Everything in the forest is the forest’ is a major solo show by Clare Hewitt. An Impressions Gallery touring exhibition, presented as part of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture.

14/08/2026

🌎 Last two weeks of Costing the Earth 🌍

Head to South Square to see Impressions’ offsite exhibition before it ends!

📍 South Square Centre, Thornton, BD13 3LD
📆 Ends 30 August 2026
🎟 Free entry

‘Costing the Earth’ aims to highlight the harmful environmental impact of fast fashion and the small actions we can take to make a positive difference.  Presenting work by Mandy Barker, Alice Fox, Hannah Lamb and Atiyya Mirza.

Curated by Jane Hiley, Costing the Earth is an Impressions Gallery offsite exhibition in partnership with South Square Centre. Part of Impressions’ Summer of Sustainability programme.

09/07/2026

🌿 There’s still time to donate a photo print and be part of Creative Earth Eco Fest pop-up outdoor gallery on Saturday 1 August! 🌿

 We are interested in showcasing your processes, your tests, your ‘mistakes’ as well as prints that are ‘exhibition ready’. We ask that your photo print already exists and created using eco-friendly methods.   🔗 link in bio for more information

Deadline for submissions Monday 20 July.  📍 Cliffe Castle, Keighley 📅 Saturday 1 August, 11am - 5pm 🎟️ Free event, all welcome  Creative Earth Eco Fest is produced by Photo Hub North CIC and Impressions Gallery, part of our ‘Summer of Sustainability’  Made possible with funding from Arts Council England and and support from Bradford Council       Image: Photogram © Lisa Holmes

Address

1 Piece Hall Yard
Bradford
BD11PJ

Telephone

+441274737843

Website

https://www.impressions-gallery.com/

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