The⁢ Hepworth wakefield has successfully raised⁣ £3.8 million too acquire Dame Barbara Hepworth‘s Sculpture With Color (Oval ‍Form)‌ Pale Blue And Red, ensuring ⁣its permanent public display in her hometown. The acquisition was spurred by a‍ temporary export bar,recognizing the ⁣artwork’s national importance.

The fundraising effort garnered over 2,800 public‍ donations, alongside important grants from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and art Fund, demonstrating widespread community support.

Created in 1943 during wartime, the⁣ sculpture exemplifies Hepworth’s resourceful approach to her art. Limited access to materials during the Second World War necessitated innovative solutions‍ and⁣ a reliance on available resources. This piece,‌ one of a small number of wooden‌ carvings from that period and among the first to incorporate strings, reflects a period of adaptation and artistic resilience.

Olivia colling, interim⁣ director and⁢ CEO of the ⁢Hepworth Wakefield, emphasized Hepworth’s commitment to community and ⁤expressed gratitude for the collective effort that brought​ the work home.The gallery plans to share the sculpture thru loans to other⁤ UK institutions, maximizing public access⁢ to this significant piece of british art history.