Guinness World Record to wish Hockney a Happy 80th Birthday

As part of this year’s celebrations for the world famous artist David Hockney’s 80th birthday, Bradford is attempting an official Guinness World Record for the most signatures on a greetings card.

Bradford-born David Hockney, who is considered one of Britain’s most influential artists of the 20th century, celebrated his 80th birthday on July 9.

Officers from the newly opened permanent David Hockney Gallery at Bradford Council’s Cartwright Hall have got together with Bradford greetings card company Hallmark Cards plc, to produce an enormous birthday card with space for over 22,000 signatures.

The Official Guinness World Record for the most signatures on a greetings card is currently held by the Dubai Police force with 13,288 signatures; however an attempt by Staffordshire County Council with around 21,500 signatures is still to be ratified, so Bradford needs at least 22,000 signatures to make it count.

The giant card which is around 180cm tall and 120cm wide, has been designed by Hallmark Cards using inspiration from Hockney’s famous artworks to create the number 80 as a collage, will be available to sign at various events across the summer.

There will be a special signing event at Cartwright Hall on Thursday 10 August from 10am to 4pm.

The card will be at Cartwright Hall Art Gallery on Sunday 13 August between 11am and 3pm for people to sign as part of the gallery’s Martin House 30th birthday celebrations. Children from Martin House hospice and schools across the district will have their Hockney inspired artwork on display as part of the Young Open 2017 exhibition.

Bingley Music Live festival goers will also be able to sign the card in Myrtle Park, on 1, 2 and 3 September.

Pupils at Bradford Grammar School will get the chance to sign the card on their way into lunch on Thursday 7 September.

People will be able to sign the card at The Broadway Shopping Centre Saturday 9 September between 9am and 6pm.

People not able to go to the events can also take part in this amazing record attempt and wish David Hockney a happy 80th birthday by signing the card on-line at https://goo.gl/HFiD92

Coun Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s executive member for environment, sport and culture, said: “We thought that this would be a really fun way to get lots of people involved in celebrating David Hockney’s special 80th birthday.

“The easiest way for people to sign the card is online, but they can also sign in person at one of our events.

“We want as many people from across the district to sign the card and can arrange for groups of people to visit or we can take the card out to groups, work places, sports teams, art clubs or communities for people to sign.”

Kate Van Spall,  Art Director Trends, Hallmark UK said: “As a Bradford based company we were thrilled to be asked to be involved in the creation of a card for Hockney’s birthday. The card is made up of numerous postcard size images reflective of the style of David Hockney that our in-house design team created during a ‘Hockney Power Hour’. It’s been amazing to see all the different designs come together and be part of a World Record attempt whilst contributing to the celebrations of the Bradford artist’s birthday.”

Look out for dates of other events at www.bradfordmuseums.org and follow the museums’ Facebook and Twitter pages @bradfordmuseums

Haworth Primary School’s Tour de Yorkshire Land Art project shortlisted

 

To celebrate a month since the Tour de Yorkshire reached its sensational conclusion, voting is now open to crown the best piece of land art from this year’s race.

Stage Three of the Tour de Yorkshire 2017 started in Bradford city centre and passed through large parts of the Bradford district on Sunday 30 April 2017.

Hundreds of amazing installations animated this year’s route and two from the Bradford district have made the shortlist and our very own Haworth Primary School is one of them with their ‘Branwell Bronte riding a bicycle’.

The artwork featuring Branwell Bronte riding a bicycle was part of a project celebrating the Tour de Yorkshire at Haworth Primary School. The artwork celebrates 200 years from the birth of painter and writer Branwell Bronte in 1817 the brother to writers Charlotte, Emily and Anne Bronte who lived in and wrote about Haworth.

Pupils and teachers at the school worked with Andrew Wood from Manorlands, Sue Ryder Hospice to create the giant land art in conjunction with Worth Valley Young Farmers Club. The land art is made out of recycled plant pots, carpet and tarpaulin.

The public vote is now open for people to decide their favourite land art from this year’s Tour de Yorkshire and they can do so at letouryorkshire.com/landart

Voting is open until midnight on Tuesday 13 June and the winner will be announced shortly after.

@HaworthPrimary

Bingley Grammar School pupils bring art to new paediatric wards

Creative pupils from Bingley Grammar School have recently had their creative designs brought to life to brighten the stay of young hospital patients.

The pupils have worked on mood boards and features for the new paediatric wards and adolescent lounge for Bradford Royal Infirmary’s new wing.

The idea behind the artwork was to help make the young patients feel at home when at the hospital.

The project was open to all year groups and has taken part in a number of workshops creating themes, colour schemes and coming up with innovative ideas which includes a “selfie” wall where patients can post pictures and notes for other young patients to see.