Barbara Hepworth

Barbara Hpeworth is one of the main pillar of British Sculpture during the mid part of the 20th century. The other being Henry Moore, both were born in Yorkshire and this shows in their work. The strange rocky outcrops and crags that litter the moors are ingrained in their pieces. Both these sculptors were compared and contrasted now and then. Whereas Moore's reputation has suffered as some of the other mainstream British artists, I would suggest that Barbara Hepworth's is growing stronger.

One of the results is the new art gallery in Wakefield dedicated to her work. I visited the new building this weekend, which was only its third week of opening and has already, it seemed that there was a large flow of people coming to view both the art and the gallery. This could be seen by the way all the car parks had been closed and buses laid on for a park and ride. The building is a series of blocks linked together and not very warming. The inside is better, maybe a little too harsh minimalist, but I rather liked the shape of the rooms. One of the odd things was the windows have been blocked off, so you had to walk around these obstructions to see the views, across the river.

There were two rooms dedicated to Wakefield's own collection of historical pictures and some of the town own artwork of the same period. I gave a wry smile where there was catalogue proclaiming an exhibition by Henry Moore was packing them in. This was to set the seen of art in the 30s and 40s with some of the other sculptors work who were contemporaries. There were a couple of 'lost' artists who had were working at the same time, but never developed as 'bigger names' or nor any little gems, but people who would have influenced her and Moore with their beginnings in Yorkshire.

Another room was dedicated to the marquettes that Hepworth worked on, uusually, I had only know the small pieces that had been worked on like Moore's or even some of the small Rodin ones. However, she usually worked in a full size and it was odd seeing some of these bronzes worked out in plaster. The rougher, yest white surfaces. The large winged form was pinned to the wall and another more horizontal, rectangular pieces looking like a 3d Mondrian painting.

Besides and other room showing more polished pieces of her work there were room showing a current sculptor called Eva Rothschild with a show called Hot Touch. Her work is fascinating, both clever and witting with its use of space and usual materials. Someone whose work I will be more interested in finding out about.

All in all another gallery to show of the work of both one of the UK's major artist and some of the contemporary works as well. Definitely worth another visit.