Campus welcomes world-renowned sculpture

Dual Form by the great British sculptor, Barbara Hepworth has been installed on campus, on loan from Leeds Art Fund, via Leeds Museums and Galleries.

Dual_Form_by_Barbara_Hepworth

Initially on loan for five years, the iconic sculpture takes centre stage in the University's Public Art Trail and has a prominent position outside the stage@leeds building.

Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery curator Nathalie Levi will introduce the work in the context of Hepworth’s career at a Public Art Short talk at 12.45pm today (Wednesday 10 August).

Born in Wakefield, Yorkshire, in 1903, Barbara Hepworth enjoyed a lengthy career over 50 years, until her death in 1975. She is regarded as a pre-eminent British sculptor, along with her peer and fellow Yorkshire native, Henry Moore, gaining recognition for her work during her lifetime. In 1965, the year that she produced Dual Form, she was made Dame Commander of the British Empire (DBE) and was also invited to be the first female trustee of the Tate Gallery - a position she would hold until 1972.

Dual Form is one of an edition of seven bronzes, a medium that Hepworth began working in towards the late 1950s. Despite her transition from working in wood to bronze, Dual Form reflects Hepworth's earlier style, with its simple form and pierced hollows.  

Councillor Brian Selby, Leeds City Council's lead member for museums and galleries, said: "It's great news that Dual Form will still be on display in Leeds and that people will still be able to view and appreciate this important piece of sculpture.

"Barbara Hepworth is one of our region's celebrated artists and we're very proud to have some of her work on display in Leeds. It's important that, while the [Leeds Art Gallery] itself is closed for repairs, we're still able to make its world class collection accessible to the public as much as we can. I'm sure Dual Form will be a fantastic addition to the University's art trail."

The University's Public Art Project Coordinator, Nicola Stephenson, said: "It is wonderful to welcome Barbara Hepworth's Dual Form to campus to join our varied and expanding Public Art Trail.

"We are excited to include the sculpture in our Public Art programme of events, celebrating it with students, staff and members of the public alike."

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