Fishink at The Hepworth, Wakefield. Sculpture, Paintings and More.

Welcome to the end of the week.. are you glad to get here ? I have two friday findings that I’d like to initially mention.

Firstly a HUGE vote of thanks to the lovely Claire Ireland, whom I blogged about three weeks ago. Claire makes the wildest range of ceramic creatures that I’ve seen for ages, and as a thank you to me for writing about her, she very kindly sent me a Saggar Beast of my very own !! How excited was I to open the box yesterday and see him wrapped up in his bubble wrap nest : )

I’ve called him ‘Humphrey’ as I think it kind of fits the bill and he’s already taking pride of place on my studio fireplace. He hasn’t said anything yet but perhaps the journey has rendered him speechless… time will tell ! Many, many thanks Claire for your thoughtfulness, he will be loved.

Secondly I’d like to ask all artists who read my blog, to consider contributing an hour of their time, in creating a postcard piece of artwork for a worthy cause.

The Williamson Art Gallery and Museum are looking for artists to create and donate a postcard, (artwork size 14 x 10.5 cms) to support a gala fundraising night for the gallery. The sale night will be held on the 1st of May, 6.15 – 9pm. There will also be a pre-sale viewing on April the 30th, 10 – 5pm. The deadline for submissions is the 22nd of April, the decorated postcard should be left anonymous on the front with just the reverse signed and completed, with your email address and the title and medium used.

Please send your postcards to;

The Williamson Art Gallery and Museum,

Slatey Road, Birkenhead, CH43, 5UE. Great Britain.

For event details Email; Laura Weston, laurawestonart@Hotmail.com and Jacqui Chapman, jacqui@jacquichapman.com

Two Sundays ago we travelled over to Wakefield to The Hepworth, the northern tribute to Sculptor Barbara Hepworth. This musem opened on 21 May 2011 in the city where Hepworth was born and grew up. It had over 500,000 visitors in its first year of opening and, on 5 December 2013, celebrated its millionth visitor. I did find the tinted grey concrete exterior a little austere, but also dramatic in it’s approach.

Initially you’re treated to work by fellow sculptor Henry Moore. I loved seeing this little girl drawing one of the pieces.

The next room was a collection of mother and child or two figures sculptures. How wonderfully the pieces fit together.

There was a fascinating room with a whole host of other artists work. Some lovely Paolozzi, like this collage which really caught my eye.

The gallery then covers more about Barbara’s work. Her tools, how she formed her work, the mediums she used etc.

Lovely to see images of Barbara working on pieces and the different stages of the forms taking shape.

I loved the light in the gallery and seeing her sculptures grouped together.

I also enjoyed looking through them to capture other shapes and aspects too.

Don’t forget that it’s not only the sculptures that make for an interesting gallery trip : )

Finally there was another sculpture exhibition by Erika Vogt (which to be honest didn’t do very much for me), but the walls of the building were amazing… (sorry).. and Erika’s prints/ textiles and film show was also worth a look.

There is also the St Ives, Barbara Hepworth Museum which was opened in 1976 by Hepworth’s family, following the wishes expressed in her will. The Museum has been owned and run by the Tate since 1980. It contains the largest group of Hepworth’s works, permanently on display at Trewyn Studio and garden where she lived and worked from 1949 until her death in 1975.

More detailed info about Barbara Hepworth over on this website here.  All in all a grand day out, (Gromit !)