18 Apr – 11 May 2025
Frontline 1984/1985
Victor Wedderburn
A fascinating exhibition exploring Bradford's African Caribbean communities in the ’80s.
Sundays: 12-4pm
African Caribbean communities in the 1980s is brought vividly back to life in local photographer Victor Wedderburn’s first exhibition.
Victor Wedderburn Jr arrived in the UK from Jamaica in 1971 at the age of 16, joining his Windrush Generation parents here in Bradford. When redundancy took his job at Crofts Engineers in the early 1980s, he used his pay-off to buy a second-hand camera and film developing kit, then set about documenting life in the city.
Frontline 1984/1985, the first ever exhibition from this self-taught photographer, vividly evokes African Caribbean life in Bradford 40 years ago. From Lumb Lane landmarks such as Roots Record Shop and the Perseverance Hotel to sound system parties and anti-apartheid marches, these photographs tell a story that’s sometimes written out of Bradford’s history.
Don’t miss this powerful evocation of a lost era – a striking snapshot of a community that Victor Wedderburn knew from the inside out.
Opening times
The Gallery at Loading Bay is open at the following times:
- Thursday – Saturday 12-6pm
- Sunday 12-4pm
- The gallery will also open to view before evening shows
Visit Loading Bay
Loading Bay is a brand new pop-up arts venue in Bradford City Centre for Bradford 2025.
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Loading Bay
1 Duke Street
Bradford
BD1 3QR
With thanks to Checkpoint - Bradford's West Indian Community Centre, Dominica Association Bradford and Windrush Generations UK for their support of this project.
The project team, alongside Victor Wedderburn would like to thank all of the individuals and families featured in these photographs who have kindly supported the development of this project.
Lead image: © Victor Wedderburn
