Forms in Movement (Pavan) c. 1956 - 1967

Editor: Here we have Barbara Hepworth's bronze sculpture, Forms in Movement, also known as Pavan. I'm struck by how the shapes seem to flow into each other. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Consider the interplay of positive and negative space. The voids are as crucial to the sculpture’s form as the solid bronze. Note how the curvature implies continuous motion, a visual paradox given its static materiality. Do you perceive a sense of balance? Editor: Yes, despite the curves, it feels very balanced. It's interesting how she uses empty space to create form. Curator: Indeed. The artist's manipulation of form and space is central to understanding the work. It challenges our perception of sculpture as solely mass. Editor: I see the form more clearly now and its relationship to space. Thanks for pointing that out! Curator: My pleasure. It is a work that rewards close visual attention.