Three Obliques, Bronze sculpture at School of Music, Cardiff University, United Kingdom
Three Obliques (Walk In) is a bronze sculpture at the School of Music within Cardiff University, composed of three trapezoidal wings arranged to create a walkable space beneath them. Each wing stands approximately 3 meters (10 feet) tall and features circular openings in the upper sections, allowing views through the structure to the surrounding area.
Barbara Hepworth created this bronze version in 1968, developing from her 1967 plaster model titled Three Oblique Forms. The work represents one of several bronze editions she produced from this design, marking a significant phase in her exploration of abstract sculptural forms.
The work reflects a shift in modern art practices, encouraging visitors to engage with abstract forms through walking around and beneath them rather than viewing from a distance. This hands-on approach was innovative for its time and continues to invite people to experience sculpture as a full-body interaction.
The sculpture is located outdoors near the School of Music and is accessible to walk around and through at any time. Visiting at different times of day reveals how sunlight and shadows play across the bronze surfaces, creating different visual experiences depending on the angle of approach.
The three wings cast shifting shadow patterns across the ground and surrounding space as the sun moves throughout the day. This ever-changing interplay of light and shadow makes each visit offer a different visual experience, especially when approaching from different angles around the sculpture.
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