Giant baby and J.B Priestley – a look at Bradford sculptures

Metallic babies, huge sewing needles and statues of the country’s past monarchs are among the other varied sculptures that can be found in the city.

The Tower of Now is a temporary installation on the Hall Ings “parklet” that has been created on the site of the former NCP car park.

The Tower of Now (Image: T&A)

Created by artist Saad Qureshi, the sculpture mixes the varied architectural styles found in Bradford to create an eye-catching tower structure.

It will only be in place for Bradford’s City of Culture year, but the city centre has a huge number of permanent sculptures.

Here we look at some of the city’s sculptures.

The statue of J.B. Priestley (Image: T&A)

J.B Priestley – outside the National Science and Media Museum

Sculpted by Ian Judd, the bronze statue of the acclaimed Bradford playwright behind An Inspector Calls was unveiled in 1986, and overlooks Bradford City Park.

Connecting the City on Cheapside (Image: T&A)

Connecting the City – on Cheapside

The large needle structure by Rick Faulkner was unveiled on Cheapside, near the entrance to Bradford Forster Square Station, in 2000.

It symbolises Bradford’s textile history, and the steel sculpture stands fifteen feet tall.

The statue of Richard Oastler (Image: T&A)

Richard Oastler – Oastler Square

This statue is dedicated to the man who campaigned to improve working conditions in factories – conditions that often saw children work long hours for little money. The sculpture features Oastler and two child workers.

The bronze statue by John Birnie Philip was unveiled in 1869.

The area around the statue was recently refurbished thanks to Lottery cash awarded to Bradford Council. The paved area around the statue was replaced by large plant beds and benches as part of work to improve the Top of Town area.

The Delius statue at Exchange Square – picture by Gary Allen (Image: Camera Club)

Homage to Delius – Exchange Square

This sculpture honours the life of composer Frederick Delius, who was born in Claremont, near the University of Bradford.

Unveiled in 1993, the sculpture by Amber Hiscott, is of two leaves to reflect Delius’ love of nature.

The lightbulb statue at Forster Square (Image: T&A)

Buried Light Bulb – Forster Square

Based near the entrance to Firster Square Retail Park, Andy Hazell’s Light Bulb was first installed in 1999 to bring a bit of colour to the out of town retail park.

The upside down light bulb is partially buried, and surrounded by a star.

The Baby of the North (Image: T&A)

The Baby of the North – outside Margaret MacMillan Tower

One of the most recent sculptures in the city centre – the statue of a giant baby was installed in 2016 in front of the offices of Bradford Council’s Children’s Service.

Created by Haworth sculptor Craig Dyson, the sculpture divided opinion when unveiled, with many questioning the artistic style, but others praising it as a unique feature.

The Bradford City Fire Memorial (Image: T&A)

Bradford Fire Disaster Memorial – Centenary Square

This memorial sculpture remembers the 56 who died in the Bradford City Fire in May 1985. It was sculpted by Joachim Reisner and unveiled in 1986.

An untitled sculpture on Leeds Road (Image: T&A)

Untitled Sculpture – Leeds Road, outside Bradford Playhouse

The sandstone sculpture by Terry Hamill was commissioned by Bradford Council and Little Germany Action Group, and installed on Leeds Road in 1992.

The contemporary sculpture is of a seated man preparing to stand, and is meant to reflect the regeneration of the area.

Some of the statues on City Hall (Image: T&A)

Statues on Monarchs – Bradford City Hall

The exterior of Bradford City Hall has statues of 35 monarchs on its walls, from William the Conqueror to Queen Victoria.

Lockwood and Mawson designed City Hall, with Farmer & Brindley being the stone carvers.

William Forster – Well Street, outside Broadway Shopping Centre

This statue honours the Liberal MP for Bradford who helped highlight the plight of the poor and helped introduce the 1870 Elementary Education Act, the country’s first national education act.

It currently stands between the Broadway Shopping Centre and the newly renamed Bradford Arts Centre, which will re-open later this year.

Sculpted by James Havard Thomas, the bronze statue stands nine foot tall.

The Fibres sculpture at St Blaise Square (Image: T&A)

Fibres – St Blaise Square

Located near the entrance to Forster Square Rail Station, this sculpture is of two fibre optic cables rising from the ground that incorporates old rail lines.

Sculpted by Ian Randall and unveiled in 1997, fibres is meant to represent the regeneration of Bradford, with modern technology rising out of the city’s traditional industry.

The Questor sculpture (Image: T&A)

Questor – Godwin Street

The contemporary sculpture by Keith McCarter was commissioned by the developers of the five-storey office development it stands in front of.

The steel sculpture has two upright sections that represent progress and reaching out to new challenges. A joining circular section depicts the on-going cycle of life.

It was unveiled in 1998.

The Queen Victoria and First World War Memorial statues (Image: T&A)

Queen Victoria – Princes Way/Memorial Gardens

Unveiled in 1904 by the Prince of Wales (later King George V), the Alfred Drury sculpture was commissioned to mark the death of the long serving monarch.

The 12-foot-high sculpture was made using three tonnes of Bronze.

First World War Memorial  – Memorial Gardens

Walter Williamson sculpted the memorial marking the Great War. It was unveiled on the 6th anniversary of the first day of the Battle of the Somme, when the Bradford ‘Pals’ Battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment suffered massive and severe casualties in 1922.

The Grandfather Clock and Chair in Little Germany (Image: T&A)

Grandad’s Clock and Chair – Little Germany

Sculpted by Timothy Shutter, this stone armchair and grandfather clock is meant to represent the offices of the wool barons that helped make Bradford a wool powerhouse.

It was unveiled in 1992.

For more information about Bradford’s sculptures, there is a Sculpture Trail that can be found at https://www.visitbradford.com/things-to-do/bradfords-sculpture-trail-p1786901.