The Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden

The Barbara Hepworth Sculpture garden is in the centre of St. Ives, Cornwall, in the South West of England.

Barbara Hepworth (1903-75) was married to the painter Ben Nicholson and moved to St. Ives in 1939 along with their three young children. They had previously lived in London but the start of the Second World War persuaded them to move to a safer environment for the sake of their family. In 1949 Hepworth bought Trewyn Studio and garden where she lived until her death. This garden became the background for many of her sculptures and was laid out by her and a friend, the composer Priaulx Rainier.

Hepworth then positioned her sculptures in this setting.The works are both in sympathy with the surrounding plants while at the same time providing a contrast in shape and texture. Many of her sculptures were photographed here and eventually the studio and garden at Trewyn and the town of St. Ives itself became forever associated with her name.

I visited the garden in May 2008 and it combines two of my interests - gardening and outdoor sculpture. I love sculpture when it’s presented in a natural setting. This garden was also special because many of the sculptures remain in the exact place where Barbara Hepworth put them all those years ago. Sculptures in bronze, stone and wood are on display in both the garden and the museum, along with paintings, drawings and photographs etc. The garden is quite small considering the size of some of the sculptures on show and rather wild and exotic with lots of palms, cacti, grasses, bamboos and trees.

I’m aware as I write this that I’m talking more about the sculptures than the garden but while the garden is the backdrop to these works of art it is no less important. It’s just more difficult to pick out specific plants when the whole garden appears as an an expansive, vibrant, living background.

Hepworth’s work was strongly linked to nature. Her sculpture could be inspired by an existing natural form (such as a shell or seed), nature in general or by the idea of organic growth itself. It’s worth bearing in mind when looking at her work. Below a spiky Agave provides contrast to a round, seed like shape called “Spring”.

The other fascinating thing is the way a sculpture can change depending on the viewing angle. From one side it can look solid and formidable, from another it can almost disappear.

Here is the studio where she worked. Outside, on the left is a large Geranium maderense providing a exuberant burst of colour.

The other half of the studio remains much as it was when she died. There are sculptures here that will never be completed. Tools that remain unused. I thought this was a rather touching sight.

I know this post was more sculpture than garden. I’m also aware that everyone doesn’t find outdoor sculpture as interesting as I do but for me sculpture set in a natural setting is a joy to behold. Here is a short slideshow of the garden.

Those of you who do visit St. Ives might also care to explore the Tate, St. Ives art gallery which is five minutes walk away from the sculpture garden at Trewyn. All that art in such a small place. Wonderful!