WAKEFIELD, ENGLAND.- The Yorkshire Sculpture Park presents today "Barbara Hepworth: Centenary 2003". Barbara Hepworth’s powerful words show her deep connection to the environment that surrounded her. Born in Wakefield, she referred to the sculptural influence found in the dramatic landscape of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and paralleled that experience to the Penwith peninsula - the area around St Ives, which she made her home in the 1930s. Hepworth was one of the most important figures of international modernism and is arguably one of the most famous British artists. This centenary exhibition focuses on Hepworth’s late work and the culmination of her sculptural practice.
In the Pavilion Gallery are a group of late marble carvings, including the large Totem 1961-2 and the serene Talisman II 1960 and Touchstone 1969. Carved from black, white and coloured marble, this group of works reflect a lifetime spent working with stone. Hepworth was committed to the process of carving, and her love of this method and material is evident in these beautiful pieces that reflect on landscape and magic.
In the Formal Garden and on Hillside, YSP is displaying seventeen works made for the open air. Hepworth used bronze and stone on a large scale to make pieces that speak about the experience of landscape and the figure within it. Familiar to regular YSP visitors are Family of Man 1970 and Squares with Two Circles 1963. These sculptures are accompanied by impressive large stone pieces such as Curved Reclining Form (Rosewall) 1960-2 , and the wonderfully patinated bronze of works such as River Form 1965.
A series of maquettes in the Bothy Gallery indicates how ideas for large sculpures were first investigated on a small scale. Other smaller bronzes are on display, including the sturdy Torso I (Ulysses) 1958 and the significant Single Form (Chun Quoit) 1961, as well as lyrical works in metal and string such as Orpheus 1956.
Co-curated by Sophie Bowness and organised in collaboration with Tate St Ives, the exhibitions are linked by the joint publication of a catalogue, including texts by Chris Stephens, Jeanette Winterson, Simon Armitage, Sophie Bowness, David Lewis and Peter Murray.
Exhibition sponsored by AXA Art Insurance and supported by the Hepworth Estate, The Henry Moore Foundation and Manchester Airport.
The Barbara Hepworth Resource Room is in the YSP Centre. Providing a lively introduction to the exhibition and further information about the artist. The Resource Room will be the hub for daily activities, tours and talks. Please drop in and find out more about the exhibition. Supported by Arts and Business New Partners Investment Programme.