The Barbara Hepworth Museum & Sculpture Garden, St Ives
Barbara Hepworth was an abstract sculptor, born in Wakefield in 1903. She studied at Leeds School Of Art with Henry Moore. Her works are made from bronze, stone, clay and wood and they reflect nature and landscapes. Barbara said her work was a way of 'holding a beautiful thought'.
The Move To St Ives
At the outbreak of WW2, Barbara Hepworth moved to St Ives with her husband and fellow artist, Ben Nicholson in 1939 and their family. Barbara had an older son, Paul from her first marriage to John Skeaping, and triplets with Ben born in 1934.
The St Ives Group
Here is St Ives, Barbara and Ben formed the St Ives Group. The artists of the St Ives Group wanted their sculptures to look like they had been formed by the landscape, like pebbles found on a beach.
The museum in St Ives is where she lived and worked and was originally called Trewyn Studios. She moved there in 1949 and said that "Finding Trewyn Studio was sort of magic".
Sadly she died there in an accidental fire in 1975 at the age of 72.
The Museum
The museum was opened by her family in 1976 and then bought and run by the Tate from 1980 to present day. It is a preservation of her life and work. The furnishings in the house are as they were, and the workshop is full of her tools and unfinished works.
Trewyn Gardens
Trewyn Gardens is close to the Barbara Hepworth Museum and is worth a visit. There is a memorial to Barbara by John Milne called "Megalith". John was Barbara's pupil and assistant.
Barbara Hepworth Sculptures In St Ives
Throughout the town there are several Barbara Hepworth sculptures.
Madonna and Child. This is in the St Ives Parish Church. It is a sad memorial to her eldest son Paul, who was killed in a plane crash in Thailand in 1953.
Dual Form. This is located just outside The Guildhall in St Ives.
Epidaurous II. This overlooks St Ives Bay in the Malakoff Gardens.
Barbara Hepworth Museum & Garden Information
Opens Tuesday to Sunday 10.00–16.20
Address: Barnoon Hill, St Ives, Cornwall TR26 1AD
There are steps and uneven surfaces at the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden that make access difficult.
Please visit the website for details on ticket prices.
Click here for more information and to book tickets >>
Map Showing Where The Barbara Hepworth Museum & Sculpture Garden Is In St Ives
Have you read 101 Brilliant Things To Do In St Ives Cornwall?
It will give you so many ideas of things you can do on your next visit to our lovely town!
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The Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden is included in our game, The Great St Ives Pasty Dash!
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