IWD2020: Eccleshill artist Rosie McAndrew on Bradford's 'industrious' women

In her recent exhibition at the South Square Centre in Thornton, Rosie created an immersive exhibition inspired by the sounds, sights and smells of the moors and Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights.

The illustrator, who grew up in Eccleshill, deeply studied the works of the Bronte sisters and the barron but beautiful scenery found across the district.

In fact, International Women's Day was the theme of Rosie's first exhibition at South Square in 2018, which featured in Vogue.

The exhibition was called ‘The Kind Of Girl I’d Like To Find In My Mirror', showing off West Yorkshire's Kiki Dee, Mel B, Barbara Castle, the Brontë sisters, Helen Fielding and Mollie Sugden.

The T&A has invited Rosie, who feels Bradford women are "resilient, inventive and industrious",  to take part in its International Women's Day Q&A series.

Q: What makes women from Bradford special?

A: I think women, and people in general, from Bradford are resilient, inventive and industrious. They’re creating their own spaces, businesses and opportunities. And I’ve found creative women In Bradford to be incredibly supportive and encouraging of each other.

Q: What does International Women's Day mean to you?

A: International Women’s Day holds a special place in my heart, not only is it an opportunity to celebrate women I’ve found inspiring, but also it was the theme of my first exhibition at South Square Gallery in 2018, which ended up being featured in Vogue.

It was a big milestone for me.

Q: What needs to change?

A: In terms of what needs to change on a large scale I think sexism is still a major issue in so many aspects of society. On a more local level, some kind of council grants to support businesses run by women, and other marginalised groups would be great.

Q: Advice to your younger self? 

A: My advice to my younger self would probably be to doubt myself less, and stop underestimating what is possible to achieve.