West Bretton For further press enquiries: Media release Wakefield Eleanor Bryson, Press Officer Yorkshire Sculpture Park WF4 4LG t. 01924 832 642/633 April 2011 Open daily 10am-5pm [email protected] Admission free [email protected]
Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth at Yorkshire Sculpture Park Upper Space, Visitor Centre from 21 April 2011 / Open air from 21 May 2011
Spring 2011 at Yorkshire Sculpture Park includes major displays of sculptures by Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth – two pioneers of British Modernism, born near Wakefield. Both artists were passionate about siting their work in the open air and the historic landscape of the Bretton Estate provides the perfect context in which to experience their monumental bronze sculptures. 100 acres of undulating hills in the Country Park are home to one of the world’s most significant open air displays of Moore’s bronzes. The selection of sculptures changes this year with five new loans from the Henry Moore Foundation including Upright Motive No. 5 and Mother and Child: Block Seat.
Peter Murray, Executive Director said: Henry Moore often talked of the influence on his work of growing up in Yorkshire, and how this informed the way he related sculpture to landscape. He was the first patron of YSP, and during a visit to YSP in 1979 he expressed a strong wish to site his work in the Country Park. This area is now one of the most popular areas of the Park, and we are delighted that visitors will have the chance to experience new works alongside familiar favourites this year.
Described as ‘radical, experimental and avant-garde’, Moore was one of the leading British artists of his generation. Celebrated and commissioned worldwide, his work Henry Moore, Large Spindle Piece, introduced Modernism to a wide public and contributed to a seismic shift in 1968-74 (detail). Photo by Jonty Wilde sculpture practice. Moore’s work has been the subject of extensive exhibitions worldwide, from a large retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art, New York, in 1946, to the most recent at Tate Britain in 2010, which opened in Leeds Art Gallery in March 2011.
All my early memories are of forms and shapes and textures. Moving through and over the West Riding landscape, the hills were sculptures. Barbara Hepworth
YSP displays one of Hepworth’s last major works The Family of Man (1970), a poignant personal and universal family tree of figures in the landscape. YSP is the only place in Europe where visitors can see this important piece in its entirety. Hepworth’s sculpture Squares with Two Circles (1963) is shown in close proximity on loan from Tate and forms part of this year’s Art in Yorkshire - supported by Tate project.
From 22 April - 10 July 2011 there is display in the YSP Centre Upper Space of material that considers the career of Hepworth and the importance of landscape. Hepworth was born in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, in 1903 and spoke of the lasting memories of the West Riding, as well as the influence of St Ives, where she moved in 1939. Hepworth was one of the most important sculptors of the twentieth century and the display of sculpture, photographs, ephemera and film has been organised in collaboration with the artist’s estate. The influence of natural forms permeates Hepworth’s work and she was particularly keen for her sculpture to be shown in the open air, where she felt it could ‘breathe’ and be animated by Barbara Hepworth, The Family of Man changing light, weather and season. 1970 (detail) photo: Jonty Wilde Barbara Hepworth’s work will be further recognised through the opening of The Hepworth Wakefield on 21 May 2011. An international symposium on 3 – 4 June 2011 offers talks, debates and walks reconsidering the artists’ relationship with the Yorkshire landscape. This is a multi-site event in partnership with The Hepworth Wakefield, the Henry Moore Institute, Leeds Art Gallery and the Arts Council Collect ion. £20/£10 concessions, including lunch and transport between venues. To book email [email protected] or call 0113 246 7467.
Notes to Editors:
Art in Yorkshire – supported by Tate, is a year long celebration of the visual arts in 19 galleries throughout Yorkshire. Works from Tate's Collection of historic, modern and contemporary art will be showcased through a compelling programme of exhibitions and events.
As an independent art gallery, accredited museum and registered charity (number 1067908), YSP's core work is made possible by investment from Arts Council England, Wakefield Council, The Henry Moore Foundation and West Yorkshire Grants. www.ysp.co.uk