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Sculpture with Colour (Oval Form) Pale Blue and Red is a key piece in Barbara Hepworth’s development as one of the UK’s most influential sculptors.
Previously in private ownership, the work was placed under a temporary export bar by the UK Government in recognition of its national significance.
The acquisition, supported by a public campaign run in collaboration with Art Fund, allows the West Yorkshire gallery to tell a more complete story of Hepworth’s extraordinary career and innovative practice. She is considered one of the most important British artists of the 20th century and her art is synonymous with what we think of as modern sculpture today.
She created Sculpture with Colour (Oval Form) Pale Blue and Red under challenging circumstances during the Second World War and it marked a turning point in her career. It is one of a small number of wooden carvings she produced during the 1940s and one of her first major works incorporating string.
Now secured for future generations, this exceptional work will be accessible to all as part of The Hepworth Wakefield’s permanent art collection.
Olivia Colling, Interim Director and CEO, The Hepworth Wakefield, says: “Sculpture with Colour (Oval Form) has been in private hands since it was first created in 1943, and very rarely shown in public exhibitions since then. We are delighted to be able to give this sculpture the attention it deserves in a dedicated display in Wakefield, the UK's capital of sculpture, so that many people can experience this beautiful artwork for themselves."
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