About

Vespertine Garden is an ambitious new immersive installation exploring the hidden worlds of urban wildlife and the urgent need to protect the ecosystems we share.

Developed with children and young people in Bradford, the project invites audiences to experience the city’s overlooked nocturnal landscapes through the eyes of the creatures that emerge at dusk. The term vespertine describes species that are active in the evening — including bats, hedgehogs, foxes, owls, moths and nocturnal plants — neighbours whose habitats are increasingly under threat.

Through a series of creative workshops led by Bradford-based artists Amy and Emma-Jo Bairstow, local school pupils have explored biodiversity loss, environmental challenges and practical ways to support wildlife in their own communities. Combining hands-on making with ecological learning, the project encourages a new way of seeing familiar spaces: not simply as places designed for humans, but as shared habitats that require care, attention and stewardship.

The project culminates in a captivating immersive installation at South Square Centre from November 2026 to February 2027. A glowing twilight environment of UV-lit neon sculptural plants and creatures, handcrafted from paper and recycled cardboard, will transform the gallery into a magical landscape where the hidden vespertine world is brought vividly to life. Visitors will journey through this enchanting habitat accompanied by a bespoke soundscape created by local sound artist Fran Bundy, using foraged sounds gathered from the local environment.

Blending artistic innovation, environmental education and local collaboration, Vespertine Garden celebrates the power of art to inspire curiosity, empathy and meaningful change. It offers a unique opportunity to reconnect with the wildlife around us and imagine new ways of caring for the ecosystems on our doorstep.