Museums And Archives

The Hepworth Wakefield / Wakefield Art Collection New Acquisition: Barbara Hepworth, Sculpture with Colour (Oval Form) Pale Blue and Red, 1943

The Hepworth Wakefield (THW) wishes to acquire an exceptional artwork by Barbara Hepworth, currently under export deferral granted by the Secretary of State, owing to its importance in the development of Modernism in Britain and its connection to national life during World War II. We have five months to raise £3.78m to save this important sculpture for the nation. If successful in our fundraising, we will ensure the sculpture, which has been in private ownership since its creation in 1943, goes on public display in the city of Hepworth’s birth (Wakefield) where everyone can experience the work first-hand. Here it will be shown alongside the numerous contemporary artists Hepworth has inspired, as well as in the context of our significant collection of Modern British art. This project will give our local audiences and stakeholders pride and continued confidence in our work and help raise our profile nationally and internationally.