Sculpture with Colour (Oval Form) Pale Blue and Red – Saved for the Nation

Sculpture with Colour (Oval Form) Pale Blue and Red, 1943, by Barbara Hepworth, acquired for the nation following the success of a £3.8 million public appeal led by Art Fund and The Hepworth Wakefield, will go on public display for the first time at the gallery this September.

The arrival of the sculpture in Wakefield will be marked in this spotlight exhibition exploring the significance of this rare and important work, created under remarkable circumstances during the Second World War.

Alongside the sculpture will be archive material, including the sculpture’s ‘stringing map’ which the gallery already holds in the collection, providing an insight into Hepworth’s creative process.

The acquisition enables The Hepworth Wakefield to tell a more complete story of Hepworth’s extraordinary career and innovative practice. Now secured for future generations, this exceptional work will be accessible to all – local communities, schools, students and culture enthusiasts from across the UK and beyond – as part of Wakefield’s permanent art collection.

As a gesture of our thanks for the support shown as part of the public appeal, all visitors to The Hepworth Wakefield will be able to see the sculpture for free across the opening week of Saturday 27 September to Friday 3 October 2025, 10am – 5pm.

The Hepworth Wakefield’s permanent galleries exploring Hepworth’s studio environment, her tools and materials, and the works she created in the later years of her life, including a unique collection of the artist’s working models for her bronze sculptures, will also be free to view.

The Hepworth Wakefield is free all year round for Members, Wakefield District residents and under 18s. Art Fund National Art Pass holders will be able to view the work for free until spring 2026 and can continue to enjoy 50% off tickets for The Hepworth Wakefield’s temporary exhibitions.

The acquisition of Barbara Hepworth’s Sculpture with Colour (Oval Form) Pale Blue and Red (1943) was enabled through a national fundraising campaign in partnership with Art Fund, backed by the generous support of national charities, trusts, foundations, philanthropists, and over 2,800 members of the public.

The Hepworth Wakefield is sincerely grateful for every single supporter who donated and helped save this work of art for the nation.

Major Supporters

Acquired with major support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players, Art Fund, and further impactful support from the Deborah Loeb Brice Foundation, The Forster Foundation, Garcia Family Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation, The Headley Trust, the Hepworth family, the Henry Moore Foundation, John Studzinski CBE, The Julia Rausing Trust and other generous individuals, foundations and trusts.