23/10/2009
The Hepworth Wakefield is being showcased in an international exhibition called Form Matters at the Design Museum in London from 21 October – 31 January 2010. This major exhibition by David Chipperfield Architects, one of the most important architectural practices working today, features a range of projects from the last 25 years with new and archive models, original sketches, drawings, photographs and film.
The exhibition celebrates David Chipperfield Architects’ work to date and illustrates important public commissions and offers an in-depth view of current projects which include the Wakefield Council-led new art gallery, The Hepworth Wakefield. The prestigious waterfront development features alongside schemes from Europe, China, Japan, USA and Mexico and will be part of the exhibition when it tours to various locations around the world.
The Hepworth Wakefield will provide a fitting home for the gift of thirty sculptures by Barbara Hepworth from the Hepworth estate. This will be exhibited alongside Wakefield’s art collection including works by Henry Moore, David Bomberg, Graham Sutherland, Ivon Hitchens, and John Piper , and a changing programme of major contemporary and historic art exhibitions. The gallery will be one of the largest purpose-built galleries outside of London.
An interview with Simon Wallis, Director of The Hepworth is shown as part of the Form Matters exhibition, he says: “I’m delighted with the light-filled and generous gallery spaces that David Chipperfield has created for us and look forward to the building being fitted out ready for opening in Spring 2011. The galleries will offer a unique environment for Barbara Hepworth’s elegant and inspiring work. I look forward to filling the galleries with key works of art from our collection and major loans from Tate, The Henry Moore Foundation and The Arts Council Collection. It’ll be wonderful to have works of world-class quality in the region housed in a building with such architectural prestige.
Chipperfield’s design gives us the flexibility to build a vibrant social life at The Hepworth Wakefield so people will enjoy visiting regularly and will be able to socialise, relax, eat, drink, shop, learn, debate and get to know the art collection in depth. We want to celebrate Hepworth and Henry Moore’s close association with the Wakefield district as something we can all be rightfully proud of.”
Councillor Peter Box, Leader of the Council says “Wakefield Council is delighted to see this ambitious project near completion and take its place among some of the finest buildings around the world. Chipperfield has given us a stunning building that will give the city a sense of immense pride and will provide a fitting home for Wakefield’s art collection and the Barbara Hepworth’s gift. We are looking forward to opening the doors to a regional, national and international audience and bringing the very best in contemporary and historical art to Yorkshire”.
For more information about the exhibition at the Design Museum please visit www.designmuseum.org
