Squares with Two Circles 1963

Curator: Dame Barbara Hepworth's sculpture, "Squares with Two Circles," presents an intriguing study in form. Editor: It strikes me as a somewhat austere work, perhaps speaking to post-war anxieties through its monumental yet simple geometry. Curator: The juxtaposition of geometric shapes, specifically the squares and circles, creates a dynamic tension. The circles act as voids, framing the landscape beyond and integrating the sculpture with its environment. Editor: I'm curious about the implied social commentary. Hepworth was working in a time of profound social shifts. Could these voids represent missing voices or perspectives? Curator: That’s a valid point. However, I see the circles more as apertures—a formal device drawing the eye through the sculpture, engaging with notions of positive and negative space. Editor: Regardless, "Squares with Two Circles" invites us to reconsider how we perceive space and form, both within the artwork and in the world around us. Curator: Indeed, it's a testament to Hepworth's mastery that the sculpture continues to provoke such diverse interpretations.