Ref: PR1525
Date: 28/09/07
Specially commissioned works of art to celebrate The Hepworth Wakefield have been damaged during the firing process.
The two works, by internationally renowned ceramic sculptor Halima Cassell, were to have been the highlight of her current exhibition at Wakefield Art Gallery. But a problem during firing has led to one of the works being damaged and the other being reduced to fragments.
The works represented months of research and planning and more than 500 hours of carving. Halima had described String - Through Nadir and Light String - Through Zenith as her most ambitious work to date and that they had set a new standard for her. Although damaged, the gallery has still placed Zenith on display so that visitors can at least have a glimpse of what might have been.
Cllr Clive Hudson, Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Sport, said: "The artist and the Council are obviously disappointed that these pieces do not feature in the current exhibition, but I would like to stress that the exhibition is still wonderful and well worth a visit. It has been open for less than a week and already the artist has sold thousands of pounds worth of her work.
"Halima has one of the best reputations of artists working in Britain today and she will, of course, still fulfil her commission and produce two new startling ceramic sculptures, which we have decided to feature in an exhibition at Wakefield Art Gallery scheduled for next spring called Spotlight on New Acquisitions and Commissions.
"I am sure that Halima will overcome this setback and I look forward to viewing her new work."
The work, commissioned by Wakefield Council using Arts Council funding, will go on to become an important addition to the world-class sculpture collection at The Hepworth Wakefield after it opens in 2009.
Speaking at the official opening of the exhibition on Thursday evening (September 27) Halima said: "I was very pleased when I was first approached by Wakefield Council. The commission was wonderful and appropriate to my normal work because of the architectural aspects.
"It was really exciting and I enjoyed my research which included visiting Wakefield, the offices of David Chippperfield [architect of The Hepworth Wakefield] in London and St Ives in Cornwall, where Barbara Hepworth worked. These visits influenced my work, which sadly, through the kiln, did not work out.
"I was deeply upset about it, but coming to the exhibition and seeing how good it looks has helped me come to terms with it and I'm looking forward to starting work again next month."
Commenting on the damaged work, Nino Vella, Senior Cultural Officer, said: "The work that is included in the exhibition is testament to the sheer hard work, skill and creativity that goes in to each of Halima's pieces. Her ceramic work is complex, intricate and unique, and as a consequence of this they are 'high-risk' items. If something does go wrong during the production process any form of restoration is impossible and the artist simply has to start again."
Halima, who was born in Pakistan and brought up in the North West of England, has been impressing audiences from as far a field as Spain, Sweden, Korea and Japan.
Halima's exhibition, The Geometry of Clay, will be on display at Wakefield Art Gallery, Wentworth Terrace, Wakefield, until 25 November 2007.
