THE Impressions Gallery in Bradford is set to reopen for the first time since lockdown this week with a new exhibition looking towards the future.

The exhibition, Seedscapes: Future-Proofing Nature, is the same exhibition which was set to launch before non-essential places were shut down in March.

But the message behind it has been described as "more relevant than ever" by Angela Sheard, the gallery's associate curator and programme co-ordinator.

Curated over the last couple of years, it sees five artists respond to global efforts to save plants from extinction.

Plant diversity is rapidly declining, and faces threats from global warming, pollution and war. Yet without seeds and their potential for food and medicine, humans and animals cannot sustain themselves.

Featuring photography, moving image and sculpture, Seedscapes reveals how international artists, biologists and ecologists are responding to these challenges.

Angela told the Telegraph & Argus: "It's about ecology and the environment and global efforts to safeguard the future. I think in the pandemic everyone's been brought together globally so it's a nice one to reopen with.

"We're very excited. Impressions is such a public space, we love running our events with all the different communities we work with. It's been quite nice for the staff coming back into the building the past few weeks and being able to see photography again as we've all been working at home and looking on our screens."

It will reopen with reduced hours and a guided system on Wednesday (September 2) with visitors required to wear face masks. Booking is not required.

The gallery is also holding a 'Vulnerable Hour' for art lovers who are elderly or at-risk between 11am-1pm every Thursday.

Other measures include extra staff on the doors who will monitor visitor numbers.

Initially the gallery will be open four days a week - Wednesday to Saturday between 11am and 5pm, allowing time for the enhanced cleaning of all public areas.

Anne McNeill, the director of Impressions Gallery, says “We are proud to be re-opening the gallery with Seedscapes. The exhibition offers insights into the current biodiversity crisis, whilst providing the seeds of hope and resilience.”

Seedscapes: Future-Proofing Nature will be on show until December 12.

For visitors who prefer not to visit the gallery in person, an online virtual exhibition will allow them to ‘walk through’ the gallery, interact with artworks, and watch films.

More information about Impressions Gallery can be found on their website here.