Poised Form c. 1951 - 1957

Editor: This sculpture is "Poised Form" by Dame Barbara Hepworth. It's currently installed at the Barbara Hepworth Museum. I'm struck by its smooth surface and monolithic quality. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The interplay between the highly polished surface and the rough-hewn material is quite compelling. Note how the ovoid void punctures the mass, creating a tension between interior and exterior space. How does the sculpture's form relate to its setting? Editor: It stands upright and seems very still but has an interesting rhythm in its lines. I'm curious if that was the artist’s intention. Curator: Indeed. Hepworth often spoke of finding the "form in the material." Consider how the subtle curvature and planar surfaces modulate light, activating the sculpture's volume. The location must emphasize its scale and three-dimensionality. Editor: I see it now, the curvature adds a lot to it and makes it poised in the garden. Thanks for sharing these insights. Curator: It’s been a pleasure examining its formal qualities with you.