Although I'm not always convinced about grand pieces of public sculpture (it seems to me a great deal of it is put there by committees who are perhaps persuaded that they know best what is good for us), I am beginning to appreciate the Winged Figure by Barbara Hepworth which is on the side of John Lewis on Oxford Street. But I'm not sure if this is because I find the sculptress and her life quite fascinating (poor Winifred Nicholson elbowed out so that she could have Ben, those poor triplets farmed out so that she could hold onto Ben and her scuplture) or if I am growing to like the piece itself. I think it's probably both.
We once had a summer holiday in Zennor in Cornwall - full of the ghosts of mermaids, DH Lawrence and Katherine Mansfield - and took the children who were then quite small to Barbara Hepworth's house and garden in St Ives. The sun was shining, the garden was green and leafy, the house was full of BH's personality, and the sculptures in the garden were perfectly placed. Each piece could be touched/walked through/peered through and it was interesting to watch how the children interacted with bronze, stone and wood. While the adults were being more reticent, the children really felt the power and attraction of the sculptures and were unselfconscious in their appreciation.
Every time I see the 'Winged Figure' (symbolic of the John Lewis store rising from the ashes after a bomb fell on it in 1940) I think of all this and wonder how BH managed to create such huge, powerful sculptures. And the best thing is that this sculpture is free for all to see and admire and contemplate. For once a committee got it absolutely right.
*******************************************************
Thank you for all the comments on the quilt books posts. How very encouraging and enthusiastic you are! I very much appreciate your feedback at this exciting but nerve-racking time.
PS I shouldn't write about public sculpture without mentioning my absolute favourite free-to-see piece which is Maggi Hambling's Scallop on Aldeburgh beach. Another example of an enlightened committee decision, although not everyone agrees.
I visited the Henry Moore exhibition at Tate Britain recently and am looking forward to wading my new stack of library books about him and his contemporaries. Am looking forward to learning much more about that period. PS: have ordered the quilt book - suspect the library pile may have to be renewed once that arrives!
Posted by: Janice | March 19, 2010 at 09:18
I am still curious as to what Blackburns mirror tree's are all about...
we have had a rash of panopticans in the north west, one of the best being the 'singing ringing tree' in Burnley http://www.visitburnley.com/countryside/SingRing.php
that is best visited in high wind!
Kath
x
Posted by: kath | March 19, 2010 at 10:18
I'm very fond of that sculpture too, sadly it never compensates for being on Oxford Street in the first place... Did you see Moore at Kew? That was *brilliant*.
Posted by: dozenoaks | March 19, 2010 at 10:35
Not so much intended for the public at first, but the story and sculptures of Helen Martins have always touched me. I've been to her house in Nieu Bethesda in the dry Karoo in SA many times and every visit leaves me inspired and determined to "embellish" my environment as much as I please! http://www.owlhouse.co.za/ Maybe you know her story through Athol Fugard's play, The road to mecca.
Posted by: Cornelle | March 19, 2010 at 11:46
I saw the scallop last autumn and I quite like it. I can see why some people might dislike it, but it's quite an interesting sculpture, and it's really nice that you can walk up to it to touch it and really get a feel for what it's all about.
Posted by: Petit Filoux | March 19, 2010 at 11:50
The Scallop is one of my favourites too. Very much looking forward to the quilt book Jane. I'm not a quilter but your colours and designs could convert me.
Posted by: Gina | March 19, 2010 at 12:15
Have you visited the Yorkshire Sculpture Park? Lots to see but my absolute fave is a series of Barbara Hepworth 'figures' placed on the side of a hill called The Family of Man or something similar. For some reason they bring a lump to my throat everytime I see them.
Posted by: Sue Nagle | March 19, 2010 at 12:49
More Hepworth free to see (if you're a resident of Cornwall) this month - Tate St Ives is free to residents of Cornwall this month - yipppeeeeee!
Posted by: Jo | March 19, 2010 at 14:20
Despite growing up in Cornwall and spending half my life in the St Ives area I am ashamed to say I never visited BH house and garden - it was always left for later, that thing of taking for granted what is on your doorstep! - we are back over Easter and I am determined now to take the children and see what we have been missing! Thank you :D
Posted by: Mousy Brown | March 20, 2010 at 08:36
I can confirm that The Yorkshire Sculpture Park is indeed the most wonderful setting for a lot of Hepworths and many other wonderful sculptures - a great day out and it has a fantastic cafe too!
Posted by: Diane | March 22, 2010 at 13:17
i loved zennor and it's bleakness when i stayed there too. do you know the work of patrick heron? he lived in zennor too
Posted by: hazeljoy | March 22, 2010 at 18:55