THIS year is the 40th anniversary of Thornton’s South Square arts centre - and the celebrations begin with an exhibition of the work of one of its founders, Bradford-born artist Doug Binder.

Called Signs of Life, the exhibition brings together more than 20 years of work in Doug’s studio and in the life room at Dean Clough in Halifax, where he has been Painter in Residence for many years.

On display are more than 60 paintings and prints, mainly focussed on the human figure.

“The problem of resolving such a subtle form is always the same challenge. Yet different enough to seem uniquely fresh each time. The mythical, sexual and psychological aspects are always present. But for me, it is the universal yet ordinary experience that I am interested in - the common place,” said Doug.

Doug Binder was a curator at South Square and led the centre through, from its inception in 1982, developing the gallery programme for the centre’s formative years.

The outbreak of the pandemic in 2020 meant the end of the life drawing room for Doug. In a search for new subject matter, he turned for inspiration to an art library he had recently set up at Dean Clough, with some surprising results. From the varied images he found - ranging from a sketch by Rembrandt, a photograph from the Bronx during the 1930s Depression, a Victorian painting of a father holding a sick child and a serene pastoral landscape - Doug created a series of paintings and then prints with each of these themes. They are shown mostly for the first time in the South Square exhibition.

South Square Centre has recently undergone capital renovation to make the building warmer, dryer and more accessible. The project, funded by National Heritage Lottery Fund, is part of a three-year project celebrating Thornton’s heritage and the 40-year history of the centre.

South Square was founded when a group of graduates from Bradford School of Art, members of local community groups, unemployed builders and people on a Manpower Services scheme came together to renovate a complex of former millworkers cottages into a community centre, which opened in 1982.

Today the centre, which provides a platform and opportunities for new artists and curators, is home to 10 studio spaces for a variety of artists, as well as the art gallery, community spaces, an Antiquarian Archive, fine art framers, a bar, and café.

In May 2021, South Square re-opened following a nearly £1million Capital project, funded by National Heritage Lottery Fund to renovate the roof, repair, or replace 99 sash windows, install heating, new insulation, improved and updated electrics and safety measures.

The capital project triggered a 99-year Community Asset Transfer lease from Bradford Council. The capital project is supported by National Heritage Lottery Fund, Arts Council England, Garfield Weston Foundation, Bradford Council, Slyvia Waddilove Foundation, Swire Charitable Trust, and the Co-op Foundation.

Doug Binder and artist Allan Brack, who has helped to curate the Signs of Life exhibition, were two of the group which led the original renovation in 1982.

Allan visited South Square during the renovations in 2021 to take a look at the building undergoing the second largest transformation in its history. He said: “We are so fortunate to have South Square renovated in all its glory in time for the 40th anniversary of its opening. Doug Binder was a great influence and inspiration for me and many others, both as a lecturer at Bradford Art College and at South Square, where he set a magnificent standard of showing innovative work in the gallery and setting the tone for the centre as a whole before then going on to do the same, and more ambitious projects at Dean Clough.”

Alice Withers, Programme Manager at South Square says “We’re really lucky to be able to invite Doug back to exhibit at South Square. 2022 means so much to South Square, being it’s 40th year, and the celebrations will give us something positive to focus on. It’s brilliant to kick this off with such an iconic Bradford painter like Doug Binder.”

South Square is currently conducting Phase 2 of its capital renovations, which involve creating a wheelchair accessible ground floor gallery space.

Doug’s show will be the last exhibition in the gallery space, as it was set up in 1982, before the gallery moves to ground floor level.

* Signs of Life: Celebrating 40 Years of South Square Gallery runs until February 26. Doug Binder will be there tomorrow for an informal talk and tour of ‘Signs of Life at 1.30-3.30pm. The event is free. No booking required.

The gallery is open Wednesday-Sunday, 10.30am-3pm. Visit southsquarecentre.co.uk