Thursday 28 October 2010

Barbara Hepworth garden



I have found a new heroine 
Barbara Hepworth (1903-1975)
I must confess to knowing very little about one of Britain's most important sculptors, 
something that I shall be reading up on.

On a recent trip to our beloved St Ives we made many new discoveries..
one being this oasis of evergreen in the middle of town.
It amazes me how we find something new every year.
It was the last day of a wonderful week of sunny days and high tides.
I've seen signs for her garden many times, 
this year we stumbled across it..

And wow I am so glad we did, never before have I wanted to be someone else,
live someone elses life, and live in someone elses home and garden!
 
 The ghostly studio definitely had a presence, as though she was due back at any moment.
Quite a little museum on its own.

It felt to me like a very loved home and garden, 
which is why I felt so at peace.
Everything had a lived in feel, no pretension.
Just a lady, a garden and her sculptures....
enter
 






 Like?

An inspiring breath of fresh air, somewhere I could spend all day, 
  and somewhere I shall return to....

10 comments:

pamela said...

I do like:) I remember gravitating towards her work in the Tate St Ives and feeling drawn into the stone and the shape. So clever, tactile, absorbing. Regretfully, I wasn't in charge of the holiday itinary so the gardens were missed - thanks for sharing!

(and did I say how pleased I was that you were first to comment on my bloggychat? Thanks Clare!)

Twiggy said...

I love BH too, she was born just down the road from us in Wakefield. I used to voluteer at the local art gallery a few years ago and they had a lovely collection of her work and lovely pieces by the fab local Henry Moore too. There is a new gallery opening in Wakefield next year called The Hepworth and I can't wait to see it. We live just down the road from the Yorkshire Sculpture Park which has some of her great sculptures too. Twiglet started his art appreciation there when he started to walk by pulling himself up on his feet and trying to lick the sculptures :)
Twiggy x

Simone said...

The sculptures are a little bit 'modern' for my taste but they do make an impact and work well against the soft greenery. I think I like her studio best - frozen in time....x

noelle said...

Hi Clare, yes i love it there too, when i go i just really have to touch the sculptures!! x x

Pea Green Kitty said...

Love Barbara Hepworth too! Thanks for that tour, I have never had the opportunity to go to St Ives but it is definatley somewhere on my list as I am huge Art lover.
As TwiggyPeasticks has already pointed out, she was from Wakefield which is also near to where I live....and if ever you get the chance yiu must visit The Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
There you will also find work by Antony Gormley and another famous YOrkshire sculpter Henry Moore.
xx

jennyfreckles said...

I would love to visit there - keep meaning to come down but it's such a long way from up here in Yorkshire. This post goes a long way to persuading me though.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful garden. Your photos are recent yet it all looks so lush and green!
Vivienne x

Diane said...

As Twiggy says - we have loads of her sculptures here in Yorkshire, especially at YSP - so get in the van and see if it can make it further than Stoke!! And if its fine - I ALWAYS play out xxxxx

Anne said...

What a glorious garden and sculptures. Thanks for sharing.

Lynne said...

It sounds as though you made a connection there. What a lovely visit you had.