A film by Pishdaad Modaressi Chahardehi about Bradford based artist Mahmud Manning who has used traditional methods to create a cultural map of the city. In his workshop he talks about his training and experience as well as the cultural significance of the map he has created. As artist Mahmud Manning walks across Centenary Square in Bradford he talks in voiceover about wanting to be part of the changes that are taking place in the city. As he works in his studio he talks about a move...

A film by Pishdaad Modaressi Chahardehi about Bradford based artist Mahmud Manning who has used traditional methods to create a cultural map of the city. In his workshop he talks about his training and experience as well as the cultural significance of the map he has created. As artist Mahmud Manning walks across Centenary Square in Bradford he talks in voiceover about wanting to be part of the changes that are taking place in the city. As he works in his studio he talks about a move towards enhanced localism and how Bradford can be a model for other cities, a devolution. Title: Bradford on the Map As Mahmud works on one of his maps he talks about using traditional practices. Holding up bottles of colours such as Burnt Sienna he talks about how they are created. He places a piece of gold leaf of the piece he is working on. A montage both inside and out of the Central Mosque in Bradford with Mahmud talking in voiceover about his training in Istanbul in Quranic illumination which is used in mosque decoration. As Mahmud works on a map laid out on a table, he explains it is the world of Bradford and the constellation of the people within the arts. He provides details on how each of the 170 stars represent the different arts organisations within the city. Over a montage of views Mahmud explains how his art will expand taking in other Bradford districts including Saltaire and Keithley creating a local map. As he cleans the glass on a framed artwork, he explains how it is nice to acknowledge what is out there and how it is connected to people and place. As he provides details a montage around Bradford. Over a montage of both Central Mosque and the countryside around Bradford, Mahmud talks about his time teaching young men in Madrassas getting them to have a greater connection and experience of the land around them and to record it and create their own maps which will help them understand where they are from, where they are at and where they are going towards. As he looks at his finished map now in a frame, he talks about now seeing the wholeness in the world. He sits quietly in his studio relaxing surrounded by other artworks. Title: This is my map of the culture in Bradford. What does yours look like? End title: Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture Bid