Jim Moir paintings to go on display in city gallery

Paintings by the artist Jim Moir, also known under his comedy stage name Vic Reeves, are set to go on display in Bradford.

His wildlife-inspired Neo Fauna exhibition will be housed at Cartwright Hall in Lister Park for five months, starting from 28 March.

The Leeds-born artist grew up in Darlington and became interested in bird-watching at a young age after his father gave him a set of World War Two binoculars.

Moir, who was at the venue earlier this week to help prepare the exhibition, said it was a "great honour" to see his work displayed next to "great artists like Hockney and Rossetti".

The gallery, run by Bradford Council, previously hosted the 2025 Turner Prize, attracting tens of thousands of visitors.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Moir said: "It is a fantastic, beautiful building.

"There is great artwork in here, so I'm honoured to be in here next to it all.

"It's great to have your work shown in a building like this and not a high street gallery."

He added: "I did Bebington's Lady Leaver gallery last year which is grand, and this is probably a bit grander than that – I'm working up in grandness until I end up in the grandest gallery in the world!"

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, the council's executive member for healthy people and places, said it was "fantastic" to welcome Moir to the venue.

"Following the success of the Bradford district's year as UK City of Culture and hosting the Turner Prize in 2025, we are continuing to bring ambitious and engaging exhibitions to the gallery," she said.

"Neo Fauna celebrates close observation of nature and wildlife, which feels especially fitting here in Lister Park."

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.