Hepworth Sculpture Secured for Public Display After £3.8 Million Fundraising Success

A sculpture by Dame Barbara Hepworth, "Sculpture With Colour (Oval Form) Pale Blue And Red," will remain in the United Kingdom and be placed on permanent public display at the Hepworth Wakefield gallery after a successful fundraising campaign secured £3.8 million. The gallery surpassed its initial fundraising deadline of August 27th, ensuring the significant artwork remains accessible to the public.

Public and Private Support Ensured Acquisition

The acquisition was made possible through a combination of public generosity and significant grants from arts funding bodies. Over 2,800 individual donations were received, alongside a substantial £1.89 million contribution from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and a £750,000 grant from Art Fund. Additional support was provided by various trusts and foundations, demonstrating the widespread desire to keep the Hepworth sculpture within the UK.

Had the fundraising target not been met, the sculpture would have been sold to a private collector, potentially removing it from public view and the country entirely. The campaign garnered support from prominent figures in the art world, including Sir Antony Gormley, Anish Kapoor, and Dame Rachel Whiteread, highlighting the piece's importance within the artistic community.

A Significant Work from a Pivotal Period

"Sculpture With Colour (Oval Form) Pale Blue And Red" holds particular significance as it was created during World War II, a period when Hepworth resided in St Ives, Cornwall. This piece is one of the few wooden carvings she produced during the 1940s, and notably, one of the first to incorporate strings, a technique that would become a recurring motif in her later work. The use of colour also distinguishes this sculpture within Hepworth's oeuvre.

Hepworth's Legacy and the Importance of Public Access

Olivia Colling, interim director and CEO at the Hepworth Wakefield, expressed her delight at the successful acquisition, stating that Hepworth would have been "delighted" to know the work would be displayed in her hometown. "Barbara Hepworth often talked about her need to be part of a community and its proactive development," Colling said. "We are enormously grateful for the generosity people have shown in helping us to bring this extremely rare and important work to Wakefield."

The Hepworth Wakefield intends to loan the sculpture to other museums and galleries across the UK, furthering its accessibility to a wider audience. This commitment aligns with the gallery's mission to celebrate Hepworth's legacy and promote engagement with modern sculpture.

Expert Perspective: Hepworth's Place in Art History

Dr. Alistair Rider, an art historian specializing in 20th-century sculpture, commented on the acquisition: "Hepworth's work from the wartime period is particularly compelling. The constraints of the time, both material and emotional, seemed to drive her towards new innovations. 'Sculpture With Colour (Oval Form) Pale Blue And Red' exemplifies this, showcasing her evolving understanding of form, space, and the interplay between sculpture and its environment. Keeping this piece in the public domain is crucial for understanding the development of British modernism."

Hepworth's Enduring Influence

Barbara Hepworth (1903-1975) was a pioneering figure in 20th-century sculpture, known for her abstract forms and innovative use of materials. Her work, along with that of her contemporary Henry Moore, helped to establish Britain as a significant force in the international art scene. Hepworth's sculptures are characterized by their smooth, tactile surfaces and their exploration of the relationship between solid and void.

The Hepworth Wakefield: A Centre for Modern Sculpture

The Hepworth Wakefield, named in honor of the artist, opened in 2011 and has become a leading center for the study and appreciation of modern sculpture. The gallery's collection includes a significant number of Hepworth's works, as well as pieces by other important sculptors. The acquisition of "Sculpture With Colour (Oval Form) Pale Blue And Red" further strengthens the gallery's position as a key destination for those interested in Hepworth's art and the broader history of modern sculpture.

The sculpture will be on permanent display at the Hepworth Wakefield. It will also be loaned to other galleries across the UK. The acquisition was made possible by public and private donations.