The Hepworth Prize for Sculpture is a biennial prize for sculpture named for Barbara Hepworth and awarded by The Hepworth Wakefield. The prize seeks to recognise "a British or UK-based artist of any age, at any stage in their career, who has made a significant contribution to the development of contemporary sculpture".[1]

History

The Hepworth Prize for Sculpture was launched by The Hepworth Wakefield in October 2015, as part of the celebrations marking the gallery's 5th anniversary.[2][3] It has a prize value of £30,000 and will be awarded every two years.[1]

Inaugural prize, 2016

A five-strong judging panel chaired by the gallery's director, Simon Wallis, selected the sculptors shortlisted for the inaugural prize.[1] The latter were named on 21 March 2016 as Phyllida Barlow, Steven Claydon, Helen Marten and David Medalla.[4] BBC Radio 4's Front Row noted, "Their work featuring household junk, hammocks, foam bubbles, magnetised pennies and paintings suggests sculpture is a broad church these days",[5] and writing in the Financial Times, Harriet Fitch Little called it "a shortlist of uncommon breadth".[6]

The selected works went on public display in October 2016,[7][8] and the artists discussed contemporary sculpture the following day on Radio 4.[9]

On 17 November 2016, following approximately two hours of deliberations by the panel, the winner of the inaugural prize was announced to be Helen Marten.[10] Accepting the prize money she said she would be sharing it with the others on the shortlist, saying "In the light of the world's ever lengthening political shadow, the art world has a responsibility to show how democracy should work. I was flattered to be on the shortlist and even more so if my fellow nominees would share the Prize with me."[11] She added, "Here's to a furthering of communality and a platform for everyone".[12]

2018 award

In March 2018, the shortlist for the 2018 award was announced. It comprised Michael Dean, Mona Hatoum, Phillip Lai, Magali Reus and Cerith Wyn Evans.[13] Their work was displayed at the Hepworth Wakefield gallery from the end of October of that year.

Wyn Evans was announced as the winner on 15 November 2018.[14]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "The Hepworth Wakefield announces the four shortlisted artists and judging panel for the UK's first prize for sculpture". The Hepworth Wakefield. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  2. ^ "Hepworth Wakefield gallery to set up sculpture award". BBC News Online. BBC. 6 October 2015. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  3. ^ Brown, Mark (6 October 2015). "Hepworth prize launched to reward Britain's best sculptor". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  4. ^ "Four shortlisted for £30,000 sculpture award". BBC News Online. 21 March 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  5. ^ Presenter: John Wilson Producer: Angie Nehring (17 November 2016). "The Hepworth Prize, New Art Gallery Walsall, Indignation, Don Giovanni". Front Row. BBC. BBC Radio 4.
  6. ^ Fitch Little, Harriet (21 October 2016). "The Hepworth Prize for Sculpture". Financial Times. London. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  7. ^ "Hepworth Wakefield sculpture exhibition opens". BBC News Online. 20 October 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  8. ^ Searle, Adrian (20 October 2016). "Hepworth sculpture prize review – a brilliant beginning". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  9. ^ Presenter: John Wilson Producer: Jerome Weatherald (21 October 2016). "Chrissie Hynde, The Hepworth Prize for Sculpture, Bamber Gascoigne, Joe Queenan". Front Row. BBC. BBC Radio 4.
  10. ^ Khomami, Nadia (18 November 2016). "Hepworth sculpture prize winner vows to share £30,000 award". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  11. ^ Loughrey, Clarisse (18 November 2016). "Hepworth sculpture prize winner vows to share £30,000 winnings with other nominees". The Independent. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  12. ^ Brown, Mark (17 November 2016). "Helen Marten wins Hepworth prize for sculpture". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  13. ^ "Hepworth Prize: Five artists shortlisted for £30,000 sculpture award". BBC News Online. 22 March 2018. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  14. ^ Brown, Mark (15 November 2018). "Welsh artist Cerith Wyn Evans wins Hepworth sculpture prize". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 16 November 2018.

External links

Barbara Hepworth
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