In 1968, he founder of Kettle’s Yard, Jim Ede, wrote to Hepworth, whom he had known since the 1930s in Hampstead, to purchase one of her sculptures. In her reply, Hepworth confessed;

“in my heart I longed to have a work of mine in your house…”

This exchange led to Ede acquiring Hepworth’s Three Personages (1965), which he placed prominently in the new extension of Kettle’s Yard, designed by their mutual friend Sir Leslie Martin with David Owers. Over time, additional works by Hepworth, including pieces bequeathed by her close friend Priaulx Rainier, have enriched the collection.

This display brings together those works by Hepworth not ordinarily on permanent display in the Kettle’s Yard house, along with a painting by Alfred Wallis (1855 – 1942) that was previously in Hepworth’s collection and works by two contemporary artists (Ann- Marie James, born 1981, and Catherine Yass, b. 1963) who have been inspired by Hepworth’s sculpture.

Curator : Inga Fraser, Senior Curator, House & Collection, Kettle’s Yard

Listing Artwork : Three Personages, 1965 · Barbara Hepworth · Slate on wooden base (painted in black) · 397 x 355 x 278 mm · Kettle’s Yard · © Bowness. Photo: Kettle’s Yard

Banner Artwork : Barbara Hepworth ·© Bowness. Photo: Kettle’s Yard