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Bradford 2025 exhibition explores the connections between boxing and the art of calligraphy

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Bradford 2025 exhibition explores the connections between boxing and the art of calligraphy. Bradford Council’s Cartwright Hall Art Gallery recently hosted a remarkable exhibition, Fighting to Be Heard, as part of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture celebrations. The exhibition, which ran from 17 January to 27 April, displayed rare Qur’ans from the British Library’s collection, some of which had never been exhibited in the North of England before. Among the highlights was a 9th-century Qur’an, alongside modern artworks inspired by calligraphy and typography.

The exhibition also featured historical and contemporary items from Bradford District Museums and Galleries’ collection, including works by renowned artists such as Anwar Jalal Shemza, Shahzia Sikander, and photographer Peter Sanders.

A Unique Collaboration

Fighting to Be Heard was co-curated by World Champion boxer Tasif Khan, members of his boxing academy, and calligrapher Razwan Ul-Haq. The exhibition explored the unexpected connections between boxing and calligraphy through the personal stories of British South Asian Muslim men living in Bradford today.

Visitors were treated to a rare glimpse of items from the British Library’s Arabic and Urdu collections, including the 14th-century Öljaitü Qur’an, entirely painted in gold, and handwritten Sufi poetry in the Gujri dialect dating back to 1590. The exhibition also showcased contemporary works, such as three calligraphed paper aeroplanes by the late Palestinian artist Dia Batal, which served as a form of protest and self-expression.

Personal Stories and Shared Inspirations

The exhibition offered intimate perspectives on these historical items, with the co-curators sharing their personal stories and reactions to the collections. Visitors discovered the surprising similarities between boxing and calligraphy, from the discipline and precision required to the beauty and artistry inherent in both practices.

On 18 January, Cartwright Hall Art Gallery hosted a special event where visitors could hear from the exhibition’s co-creators, including Tasif Khan, Razwan Ul-Haq, and Daniel Lowe, Curator of Arabic Collections at the British Library. The event also featured family-friendly activities, such as calligraphy workshops, Mehndi design sessions, and boxing lessons with the Tasif Khan Community Boxing Academy.

Celebrating Bradford’s Cultural Heritage

Shanaz Gulzar, Creative Director of Bradford 2025, emphasized the significance of the exhibition: “This was a unique collaboration where the worlds of calligraphy and boxing met, showing discipline, expression, and beauty. It was a bridge between cultures, celebrating the powerful heritage we hold in common. We hoped visitors would be inspired and take a chance on an artform they may not have experienced before.”

Jamie Andrews, Director of Public Engagement at the British Library, expressed pride in the partnership: “We were thrilled to be part of this celebration of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture. This exhibition explored incredible objects in our Arabic and Urdu collections through the perspectives of Razwan Ul-Haq and members of the Tasif Khan Community Boxing Academy. We hoped visitors left with a rich insight into how the disciplines of art and sport are interlinked and that these beautiful items inspired everyone.”

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said: “The discipline and dedication needed, both in the sport of boxing and in the art of calligraphy, were explored in this unique exhibition. This was a fabulous opportunity for people from across the district and beyond to see these beautiful and rare objects and hear the stories of those who were involved in the project.”

Fighting to Be Heard was a British Library co-production with Bradford Council’s Bradford District Museums & Galleries, forming part of the Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture programme. The exhibition celebrated the city’s diverse communities and dynamic contemporary culture, leaving a lasting impact on all who visited.

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