Hepworth Wakefield, Art museum in Wakefield, England
The Hepworth Wakefield is an art museum built as ten trapezoidal concrete blocks, creating distinct spaces for modern and contemporary art displays. The building's angled walls and varied gallery levels guide visitors through changing visual perspectives as they move through each section.
The museum opened in 2011, succeeding an earlier art gallery that had collected works since 1923 from Old Masters through to modern pieces. Its contemporary building represented a major shift in how the city presented its growing art collection.
The collection features works by Barbara Hepworth alongside pieces from Henry Moore and Ben Nicholson, reflecting how British artists shaped modern sculpture. Visitors can experience how these creators explored form and space in ways that changed contemporary art practice.
The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday and features accessible facilities throughout the building. Allow at least two hours to explore the galleries at a comfortable pace and appreciate the varied displays.
The building hosts the Hepworth Prize for Sculpture, a biennial competition launched in 2015 that attracts emerging sculptors from across the country. This award has established the museum as a key venue for contemporary sculpture talent.
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