What is The Hardy and Free Photography Installation in Bradford?

Ever been walking down a normal city street and suddenly stopped in your tracks by something completely unexpected? Well, that's exactly what's happening in Bradford right now. A massive outdoor photography installation has turned a shopping centre wall into a stunning art gallery. Twelve huge, powerful portraits of women from across Yorkshire are on display, bringing the wild beauty of the countryside right into the city. This is Hardy and Free, a key part of the celebrations for Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, and it’s a project with some seriously deep roots.

A gallery on a city street?

Yep, you read that right. From 16 October, the outer wall of Kirkgate Shopping Centre, just opposite the new Darley Street Market, has become a canvas. The artist behind this is the brilliant portrait photographer Carolyn Mendelsohn. The project, called Hardy and Free, is all about celebrating the special and personal connection women in Yorkshire have with the natural world around them. The name itself is inspired by a famous line from Emily Brontë's novel, Wuthering Heights: "I wish I were a girl again, half-savage and hardy, and free..." It perfectly captures the spirit of the project.

This isn't the first time these powerful portraits have been seen. The project was first put together by the Brontë Parsonage Museum back in 2023. But now, thanks to a new commission from Bradford 2025, the series has grown, with brand new portraits added to the collection. It’s a fantastic example of how cultural events can give incredible arts projects a bigger stage and a new life. This outdoor installation brings the epic landscapes of Yorkshire into an urban setting, creating a unique experience for everyone in the district.

The stories behind the portraits

These aren't just pretty pictures. Each of the twelve large-scale portraits tells a profound story. To create the series, Carolyn Mendelsohn didn’t just turn up with a camera. She went on a journey with each of the women featured. She asked each one to take her to a place in the landscape where they felt most themselves, most ‘Hardy and Free’. This deep collaboration is what makes the photography so special.

Alongside the stunning visuals, each portrait is paired with audio stories. By scanning a QR code at the installation, people can hear the women's own words about their connection to the land. They share stories of personal triumphs, challenges, love, and hope. It’s an interactive experience that adds another layer of meaning to the installation, forging a powerful connection between the subject, the artist, and the viewer. This amazing fusion of visual and audio creativity truly brings the cultural heritage of Yorkshire to life.

As Carolyn Mendelsohn herself said:

“Working on this commission has been an absolute joy. I’ve had the privilege of meeting extraordinary women whose incredible stories are deeply rooted in the landscapes of Yorkshire. As an artist, I wanted to explore their worlds creatively, by inviting each woman to take me to the place where she felt most ‘Hardy and Free.’ Nothing was staged; I didn’t plan the photographs or anticipate the stories they would share. Each encounter became a genuine adventure. These women, both ordinary and extraordinary, opened their hearts and shared their stories, and that became the heartbeat of my creative process.”

The extraordinary women of Yorkshire

So, who are these women whose faces and stories now grace a Bradford city street? They come from all walks of life, showing the incredible diversity of the region. The series features farmers, artists, wild swimmers, athletes, adventurers, and activists. They are women who work the land, women who draw inspiration from it, and women for whom the landscape is a place of escape and freedom. This celebration of extraordinary local people is a core part of the Bradford 2025 vision.

Shanaz Gulzar, the Creative Director of Bradford 2025, puts it beautifully:

"Bradford is where urban energy meets rural beauty, a landscape as diverse and dynamic as the women from it. Carolyn Mendelsohn’s extraordinary, rugged and deeply beautiful portrait series gives real meaning to being ‘half savage, and hardy, and free’. From flower farms to moorland communities, women are the centre of creativity and connection.”

The subjects featured in Hardy and Free include:

• Swimming Au Naturel: A group of eight women, aged 35 to 78, who find freedom in the waters around Otley.
• Meryl Clarke: A Flower Farmer at the Yorkshire Flower Farm.
• Rachel Coates: A Farmer at Low Springs Farm in Baildon.
• Kemmi Gill: A Youth Worker and musician, photographed at Goitstock Waterfall.
• Alice Nutter: A Screen Writer pictured in Sykes Wood.
• Norah McWilliam: A Runner, Campaigner and Adventurer on Thornton Moor.

So, what’s this Bradford 2025 thing all about?

Being named the UK City of Culture is a pretty big deal. Bradford won the title for 2025, following in the footsteps of cities like Hull and Coventry. It’s a year-long programme of events, performances, and exhibitions designed to celebrate the unique culture and creativity of a place. For the Bradford district, it’s a massive opportunity. The title brings a huge amount of positive attention and, crucially, investment. This investment helps to fund amazing arts projects like Hardy and Free, supporting local artists and creating new jobs.

The programme for Bradford 2025 is happening across the entire district, showcasing everything from its industrial heritage to its status as the world’s first UNESCO City of Film. A big focus is on young people. With one of the youngest populations in the UK, Bradford 2025 aims to provide new opportunities for skills development and training, ensuring the cultural legacy lasts for years to come. It’s all about creating a catalyst for regeneration and positive change, using the power of arts and culture to reshape the future.

The people making it happen

Projects like this don't just appear out of nowhere. They are the result of partnerships and a shared vision for cultural development. The journey for Hardy and Free started with the Brontë Parsonage Museum, and its expansion is now a key part of the Bradford 2025 programme. This kind of collaboration is vital for a thriving arts scene.

Support from organisations like Arts Council England is also essential. As the national development agency for creativity and culture, it invests public money from the Government and The National Lottery to make sure everyone, everywhere, has access to high-quality cultural experiences. This investment fuels creativity and allows extraordinary artists to tell important stories. The Hardy and Free photography installation is a perfect example of how this support creates a powerful connection between people, places, and the arts, making culture accessible to all on a simple city street.