Bid to keep Dame Barbara Hepworth sculpture in UK

A sculpture created in Cornwall by Dame Barbara Hepworth has been given a temporary export bar to prevent it from leaving the UK.

Sculpture With Colour (Oval Form) Pale Blue And Red, created by Dame Barbara in St Ives during the 1940s, was auctioned by Christie’s in March for £3.5m.

A committee, serviced by Arts Council England (Ace), made a recommendation for an export bar to allow time for a UK gallery or institution to acquire the sculpture.

Arts Minister Sir Chris Bryant said he hoped the sculpture could remain in the UK as it gives a “beautiful insight” into the artist’s new life in St Ives after the outbreak of World War Two.

A decision on an export licence application for the sculpture will be deferred until 26 February 2025.

The owners would then have 15 business days to consider any offers at the recommended price of £3,652,180.63, plus VAT of £129,800.

The sculpture is made of painted wood and is part of a larger series in Dame Barbara’s oeuvre, which she developed throughout World War Two after she settled with her family in St Ives.

“Dame Barbara Hepworth was a phenomenal artistic genius who will continue to inspire future generations with her unique genre-defining sculptures which remain as powerful and engaging now as during her lifetime,” said Mr Bryant.

“Hepworth was influenced by her surroundings and this sculpture is a beautiful insight into her new life in St Ives after the outbreak of the Second World War.

“I hope a UK buyer can be found for this sculpture so the British public can continue to learn and engage with one of our most important artists for generations to come.”

Stuart Lochhead, from the Reviewing Committee On The Export Of Works Of Art And Objects Of Cultural Interest, said: “Sculpture with Colour (Oval Form) Pale Blue and Red embodies the Cornish sky, sea and rugged coastline in which she lived and which influenced her so deeply.

“One of only a handful of stringed and coloured sculptures she produced during this period, it marks a significant evolution in her practice, bridging her pre-and post-war artistic developments.

“As such, this beautiful and immensely informative work by one of Britain’s greatest artists must be saved for the nation.”