A fascinating exploration of the past, present and future of Bradford’s radical art scene.

Join us as we re-open the gallery in 2026 with the launch of new artwork! Artist Jessica Faradoon has created a new commissioned piece, that will be joining the exhibition ‘OUR TURN: Our Past, Present and Future’. This exhibition explores the past of South Square and the history of the arts industry in Bradford, and how grassroots, DIY arts organisations led to the opening of the centre. 

Jessica is a current student at Bradford College of Art, she was commissioned via an open call with a brief set from South Square to produce new work for this exhibition. By doing her own research, having meetings with the South Square team and some of the founding members of South Square, she has created new artwork which will be revealed in the new year.

Join us between 12pm and 2pm on Saturday 10th January where Jessica herself will be onsite to present her new work, which will be on display until the end of the exhibition, 1st February.

This exhibition is a way for us to reflect on where we have come from, who inspired and helped grow the arts industry in Bradford, how the grass roots visual arts industry grew in Thornton, how that led to the opening of South Square, how we’ve grown as a centre and what we achieve today, and we look to the future, championing the next generation of artists and hopefully inspiring them to continue to develop the local arts scene. 

Other artists featured include, Eve Wright, Kennedy Drake, Martha Madden and Zoe Maxwell

This exhibition is part of OUR TURN – OUR TURN expects to be bold, experimental and authentically Bradford. 

OUR TURN takes place between 26th September – 28th January 2026 in venues and unusual spaces across the city. This festival will enable artists to be more ambitious, provide training for a new generation of culture makers and inspire a range of people to be excited by art which is ‘Made IN Bradford’. The festival will celebrate Bradford’s rich counter cultural scene and create an accessible platform which will reach new art goers in Bradford, underserved communities and loyal arts audiences.