Barbara Hepworth

by Bowness, Sophie; Chipperfield, David; Guy, Frances; Heuman, Jackie; Jackson, Tessa; Wallis, Simon; Watson, Gordon

• ISBN13: 9781848220669
• ISBN10: 1848220669
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2011-03-28
• Publisher: Lund Humphries

Summary

Celebrating the generous gift of Barbara Hepworth's working models to The Hepworth, Wakefield, by the Hepworth Estate, this groundbreaking publication combines a complete illustrated catalogue of the sculptor's working models together with a comprehensive history of her work in bronze and a detailed analysis of her working methods. Presenting a previously unseen collection of around forty sculptures, the featured works are the surviving working models from which an edition of bronzes was cast. Made principally in plaster, with a number also in aluminium and wood, they range in size from works that can be held in the hand to monumental sculptures, including the Winged Figure for John Lewis's Oxford Street headquarters. An important element of the sculptor's oeuvre, the plasters are the 'original' sculptures on which the artist worked with her own hands and to scale. Providing a unique insight into Hepworth's working processes, on which little has been written, Barbara Hepworth: The Plasters will enhance the appreciation of her work as a whole. Drawing extensively on archival records, this publication is an important source for information about an significant collection of work, and about Hepworth in general. An invaluable resource, Barbara Hepworth': The Plasters will appeal to the specialist and non-specialist alike.

Excerpts

Celebrating the generous gift of Barbara Hepworth's plasters to The Hepworth Wakefield by the Hepworth Estate, this groundbreaking publication combines a fully illustrated catalogue of the sculptor's surviving prototypes in plaster, and occasionally aluminium, with a detailed analysis of her working methods and a comprehensive history of her work in bronze. In addition, insights into the building which will be home to the collection are provided through essays exploring the history of The Hepworth and, in a contribution by David Chipperfield, the design of the new museum by his architectural practice. A fascinating account of the sculptor's connections with Wakefield Art Gallery also features.