Popular searches:
Railway children Access What's on Learning Visit
A man with long dreads poses with his walkman on the pavement
Free

12 Jun – 29 Oct 2025

National Science and Media Museum

Frontline 1984/1985

Victor Wedderburn

A fascinating exhibition that explored Bradford's African Caribbean communities in the ’80s.

Past event

This event has passed. Share your feedback.

A selection of photography from Frontline 1984/1985, an exhibition that explored Bradford's African Caribbean communities in the ’80s.

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.

This selection was drawn from Frontline 1984/1985, the first ever exhibition from this self-taught photographer, and vividly evoked 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, these photographs told a story that’s sometimes written out of Bradford’s history.

This was a powerful window into a lost era – a striking snapshot of a community that Victor Wedderburn knew from the inside out.

In Conversation With: Victor Wedderburn & Tim Smith
In this short film, we bring Victor and Tim together for a journey through Victor’s memories of life on Lumb Lane known to locals as 'the Frontline' in the early 1980s, as both photographers look ahead to their respective exhibitions as part of Bradford 2025.
Credits
Commissioned by Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture.

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
Brightly coloured interpretation is mounted on wooden boards - introducing the exhibition.
© National Science and Media museum
Brightly coloured interpretation is mounted on wooden boards - showing pictures from the exhibition.
© National Science and Media museum
Brightly coloured interpretation is mounted on wooden boards - showing pictures from the exhibition.
© National Science and Media museum
Brightly coloured interpretation is mounted on wooden boards - showing pictures from the exhibition.
© National Science and Media museum
Two women wear matching green jumpers.
© Victor Wedderburn
A smiling man in a 1980s music shop.
© Victor Wedderburn
Two children hug a lampost in a 1980s photograph.
© Victor Wedderburn
Two woman sit in a doorway in a 1980s photograph.
© Victor Wedderburn
A man stands with arms folded outside a shop, in a 1980s photograph.
© Victor Wedderburn
A woman in a white dress blowing in the wind.
© Victor Wedderburn

Past event

Were you at this event?

Complete our feedback form and let us know what you thought.

Share your feedback

Related Events

What's on →
FREE Part of Turner Prize 2025

15 Jan 2025

Turner Lates: January

Celebrate the thriving artistic communities of our district.

FREE

27 Sep 2025 – 22 Feb 2026

Turner Prize

We’ve teamed up with Tate to bring the Turner Prize to Bradford - tickets available now.

A woman with short grey hair in a red lightweight jacket stands on a moor with the sun rising in the distance.
FREE

16 Oct 2025 - 22 Feb 2026

Hardy and Free

Carolyn Mendelsohn

The Kirkgate Shopping Centre turns gallery for a monumental exhibition celebrating Yorkshire women and the natural world.

Two children infront of a bright close up image of the sun

3 Apr 2025 – 22 Mar 2026

YOU:MATTER

Marshmallow Laser Feast

Explore how we’re all connected at this spectacular immersive experience.

Colourful obelisk-shaped structure with child walking in front of it
Part of PLAY

On display now

Balancing Acts

Sam Shendi

A bespoke, playful structure created to celebrate the community and history of BD5.

Part of BD: Walls

On display now

40 Years of Checkpoint

Jamie Steward

Bradford’s West Indian community centre takes the spotlight in a vibrant new street artwork.

Vibrant mural spelling out 'Breathe' in several fonts, sizes and colours. Members of the public walking by.
Part of BD: Walls

On display now

Breathe Breathe Breathe

Ricky Also in collaboration with Zayn Malik

Zayn Malik's lyrics make up this bold typographic artwork in Bradford City Centre, part of BD: Walls.

Part of BD: Walls

On display now

Wayfinders

misc.etc

This striking mural is a stark consideration of our connection to the natural environment and the ways in which we navigate physical and emotional spaces.