Barbara Hepworth exhibition to display works not seen in decades

A new exhibition that will explore a "short yet significant" period in Barbara Hepworth's life is set to open in St Albans this weekend.

Barbara Hepworth: Artist in Society 1948-53 includes sculptures, drawings and archival works that have not been seen together since they were first created 70 years ago.

The period in which they were made was a time when Hepworth, who is one of Britain's most celebrated artists, viewed herself as "an artist in society", amid her integration into the St Ives community and as her national reputation was growing.

The exhibition will be displayed at the Weston Gallery at St Albans Museum and Gallery for six months from 23 March, and is free for all visitors.

Dr Sophie Bowness, art historian and Trustee of the Hepworth Estate said: "It has been such a pleasure to work with UHArts to bring this new exhibition to the beautiful space at St Albans Museum + Gallery. The exhibition shines a light on this short yet significant period at the mid-point of Barbara Hepworth’s career, when she returned to the human form after a decade preoccupied with landscape.

"Her work is characterised by a fascination with female/male dualities and there is a sustained dialogue between abstraction and figuration throughout. We are reuniting works that have not been seen together for many years to explore the close relationship between her drawings and sculptures, and her connection with Hertfordshire at the time."