Wakefield welcomes flagship art gallery

After what feels like years in the waiting, Yorkshire’s latest flagship art gallery is due to open on 21 May 2011.

Its truly a feather in the cap of Wakefield to be able to host this fantastic new building.

Image by Jordanhill School D&T Dept via Flickr

In memory of a great sculptor.

Dame Barbara Hepworth was born and grew up in the Wakefield. She went to the Leeds School of Art with Henry Moore. The pair, who remained lifelong friends, were pioneers of abstract sculpture in the UK.

The artist became known for her pierced shapes, and her most famous works include Single Form, which is in the United Nations Plaza in New York, and Winged Figure, on the side of the John Lewis department store in London.

She was made a Dame in 1965 and died in a fire at her studio in St Ives 10 years later at the age of 72.

The Building 

Image via Wikipedia

The Hepworth Wakefield will be Yorkshire’s inspiring new art gallery, celebrating the area’s unique artistic legacy and exploring the work of major contemporary artists. Designed by David Chipperfield Architects, the Hepworth Wakefield will be one of the UK’s largest purpose-built galleries outside London. The Hepworth Wakefield will feature a display of historic and modern art, alongside temporary exhibitions of contemporary art. State-of the-art facilities include an auditorium, learning studios, garden, café and shop, completed by stunning views over the River Calder.

A highlight of the displays will be an unknown and unique collection of forty sculptures by Barbara Hepworth, gifted by the Hepworth Estate. The collection displays will provide a fascinating context with works by Hepworth’s contemporaries including Ben Nicholson, Graham Sutherland, Paul Nash, Patrick Heron, and international artists such as Piet Mondrian, Constantin Brancusi and Alberto Giacometti.

While nearby cities like Leeds are hampered by high rents and space shortages, cheaper Wakefield’s excellent road links and top-drawer accommodation could make it the next place to be.

Image by iknow-uk via Flickr

About Wakefield

It was once said that all roads in the Yorkshire district of West Riding ran into Wakefield. Now these roads are filling up with developers aiming to cash in on the cathedral city’s transport links and growing reputation as a leading commercial centre.

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