This month Mtec have had the pleasure of working with University of the Arts, Hertfordshire on their latest major exhibition of Barbara Hepworth: ‘artist in society 1948-53’. Our longstanding relationship with Hepworth’s work and her legacy, as well as the deep rooted company connections with Hertfordshire itself, have made this project extremely rewarding one to work on.

The exhibition explores a short, yet significant, period in Hepworth’s life and highlights her little-known connection to Hertfordshire bringing together sculptures and drawings, some of which have not been seen together since they were first created 70 years ago. Between 1948 and 1953 Hepworth produced a number of works which were bound for final installation within the county. Two of those works were formally relocated to the area following their commission for the Festival of Britain and a further two pieces were acquired by the Hertfortshire Schools Collection and Hatfield Technical College (now the Univ. of Herts). The exhibition also showcases further sculpture as well as 20 drawings and 100 archival items. All of the works serve to highlight elements of Hepworth’s practice during a time when she returned her focus to the human form, after focussing so heavily on the landscape in the years preceding.

As part of our involvement in the exhibition we were asked to organise multiple collections from across the UK, stretching as far as the Orkney Islands. This also included liaising with couriers from lending institutions such as the Edinburgh National and the Tate.Continue Reading…