**Jenny Eclair Joins Campaign to Keep Hepworth Masterpiece in the UK**
A national fundraising campaign has been launched to prevent a major Barbara Hepworth sculpture from leaving the country, with a diverse group of artists, creatives and public figures, including comedian Jenny Eclair and celebrated sculptor Sir Antony Gormley, rallying behind the cause. The effort seeks to raise £3.8 million to purchase “Sculpture With Colour (Oval Form) Pale Blue And Red” – an iconic work from the 1940s – for permanent display at The Hepworth Wakefield art museum in West Yorkshire.
The sought-after artwork, composed of painted wood and string, was created during one of the most influential periods of Dame Barbara Hepworth’s career. Having been auctioned in March last year at Christie’s for a multi-million pound sum, it quickly caught the attention of international buyers. In response, UK culture officials imposed a temporary export bar towards the end of 2024, pausing any overseas sale in a bid to give UK galleries the opportunity to raise the necessary funds to keep the piece on British soil.
Launched by The Hepworth Wakefield museum in partnership with the national charity Art Fund, the public appeal focuses on both the cultural significance of the piece and its importance to Hepworth’s birthplace. Dame Barbara Hepworth, a pioneer of British modernism, was born in Wakefield, making the town a fitting home for the artwork. The museum already houses an extensive collection linked to Hepworth, but acquiring this sculpture would fill a notable gap, as it currently lacks any of her completed works from the 1940s.
The fundraising effort has garnered endorsements from several eminent figures in the art world, including fashion designer Jonathan Anderson, Turner Prize laureates Richard Deacon and Sir Anish Kapoor, renowned art historian Katy Hessel, sculptor Veronica Ryan, actress Joanna Scanlan, and leading contemporary artist Dame Rachel Whiteread. Their support reflects the artwork’s deep resonance within the creative community and its recognised value as part of the nation’s artistic heritage.
Speaking on behalf of the campaign, Sir Antony Gormley commented, “Barbara Hepworth’s work continues to be a beacon of engagement with the principles of modernism and the tradition of direct carving. The chance for The Hepworth Wakefield to add such a significant piece to its collection is rare and vital – and deserves widespread support.” Gormley, a leading figure in contemporary sculpture himself, emphasised the unique opportunity this campaign represents for both the region and the UK as a whole.
Sir Anish Kapoor, another influential artist to back the appeal, echoed these sentiments, saying, “Hepworth’s ‘Sculpture With Colour (Oval Form) Pale Blue and Red’ is a national treasure and must be retained for public enjoyment in the UK.” Kapoor noted that Art Fund has already pledged a quarter of the price as part of a broader push to ensure the sculpture remains accessible to everyone, underlining the importance of public collections in fostering appreciation of British art.
The artwork in question belongs to a series produced by Hepworth during the Second World War, a period when she relocated with her family to St Ives, Cornwall. These works are particularly celebrated for their innovation, marrying abstract form with vibrant colour and the interplay between solidity and emptiness. “This sculpture is a masterwork from a breakthrough phase in Hepworth’s practice – its absence in our collection is keenly felt,” said Simon Wallis, director at The Hepworth Wakefield. “Securing it would honour her legacy and offer long-term inspiration to Wakefield residents and visitors.”
Notably, the campaign’s high-profile supporters argue that keeping the sculpture in Wakefield serves a dual purpose: ensuring the legacy of one of Britain’s most important artists remains rooted in her place of origin and granting the public greater access to artworks of profound national significance. The fundraising team is optimistic that with sustained support and contributions from donors large and small, the goal can be achieved before the export ban expires.
As the deadline for raising £3.8 million approaches, attention now turns to both the art-loving public and philanthropic institutions. With momentum growing and the endorsement of household names, campaigners remain hopeful that “Sculpture With Colour (Oval Form) Pale Blue And Red” will soon find a permanent home in Hepworth’s birthplace, serving as a touchstone for British creativity for generations to come.