A new exhibition at the Courtauld Gallery in London is inviting audiences to reconsider the work of one of Britain's most celebrated sculptors, Barbara Hepworth. Titled 'Hepworth in Colour', the show aims to challenge the common perception of her output as predominantly monochromatic, instead highlighting her significant and often vibrant use of colour throughout her career.
Barbara Hepworth (1903-1975) is renowned for her abstract sculptures, many of which are deeply connected to the Cornish landscape, particularly St Ives, where she lived and worked for much of her life. Her elegant, often curvilinear forms are frequently associated with natural elements, from geological formations to the human body. However, the exhibition posits that the subtle and sometimes dramatic application of colour was an integral, rather than incidental, part of her artistic vision.
The Courtauld's curated display features a collection of Hepworth's works that distinctly incorporate hue, from delicate washes to bold applications. These pieces are intended to demonstrate how she used colour to enhance form, create depth, and evoke the sensory experiences of her environment. For instance, the exhibition explores how blues and greens in certain sculptures might directly reference the foamy breakers and deep waters of the Cornish coast, offering a new dimension to the 'salty seascapes' often associated with her work.
The exhibition seeks to provide a fresh perspective on Hepworth's creative process and her engagement with materials. By drawing attention to the coloured elements within her sculptures, it encourages viewers to look beyond the immediate form and appreciate the interplay of surface, texture, and pigment. This re-evaluation could lead to a deeper understanding of her innovative approach to modern sculpture.
Art critics and historians have often focused on Hepworth's mastery of form and space. 'Hepworth in Colour' suggests that her use of colour, whether subtle or striking, was not merely decorative but fundamental to communicating the emotional and environmental inspirations behind her pieces. The exhibition encourages visitors to listen, metaphorically, for the 'waves breaking on Porthmeor beach' within the sculptures themselves, informed by the artist's deliberate chromatic choices.
Source: Courtauld Gallery