The Hepworth Wakefield

It is a large modern gallery that was opened in 2011, although its roots go back to the original Wakefield Art Gallery that was founded in 1923.

The gallery is named after the sculptor, Barbara Hepworth, who was born and raised in Wakefield.

What to see at The Hepworth Wakefield

The gallery displays an art collection that spans from the 16th century to the present day, although the focus is on contemporary and modern art. It includes works by Anthony Caro, Jacob Epstein, Ivon Hitchens, David Hockney, LS Lowry, Henry Moore, Paul Nash, Ben Nicholson, Graham Sutherland and, of course, Barbara Hepworth.

Highlights of the collection include works by local West Yorkshire artists Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore including Hepworth’s Mother and Child (1934) and Moore’s Reclining Figure (1936). It also features 44 plaster and aluminium working models donated by Barbara Hepworth’s family.

Around two-thirds of the art on display is from The Hepworth’s own collection and this is supplemented by a programme of temporary exhibitions.

The purpose-built gallery is a modern brutalist-style building that has polarised local opinion. The design allows the galleries to be lit by natural light and the building is an imposing sight when viewed from across the River Calder; however, some people feel that the modern building is not reflective of the local area.

Temporary exhibitions at The Hepworth Wakefield

The Hepworth Wakefield hosts a programme of temporary exhibitions. Current and planned exhibitions include:

Still Lives
Featuring over 70 works by more than 50 artists across two galleries, the Still Lives exhibition (until 23 February 2025) explores the enduring nature of the still life genre throughout various art epochs, such as post-impressionism, British modernism, surrealism and contemporary art. It reflects on the persistent inspiration artists draw from everyday objects, encompassing a range of artistic media, including sculpture, photography, ceramics, painting and works on paper.

A Living Collection
Since 1923, The Hepworth Wakefield’s art collection has aimed to foster an understanding of contemporary art and its relevance to modern life. The gallery continues this mission by adding new works to the collection, addressing contemporary issues, correcting historical imbalances and enriching narratives explored by artists in evolving contexts. Artists featured in A Living Collection (until 23 February 2025) include Jadé Fadojutimi, Jake Grewal, Lewis Hammond, Bronwyn Katz, James Oughtibridge, Dan Perfect, Fiona Rae and Caragh Thuring, with works exhibited alongside sculptures by Barbara Hepworth.

Louise Giovanelli: A Song of Ascents
Louise Giovanelli is crafting a new body of work for this solo exhibition (until 21 April 2025). Manchester-based artist Louise Giovanelli, known for large-scale paintings capturing ephemeral moments with vivid colour and textured craftsmanship, explores the interplay between representation, materiality, figuration and abstraction. Drawing inspiration from staged photographs, film stills, classical sculpture and architectural elements, her works often feature challenging subjects like fabrics and locks of hair. With captivating, luminescent paintings, Giovanelli creates an ethereal and joyful experience referencing both popular culture and Renaissance art.

Forbidden Territories: 100 Years of Surreal Landscapes
The Forbidden Territories exhibition (until 21 April 2025) commemorates 100 years of Surrealism, tracing its evolution since André Breton’s 1924 manifesto. The exhibition explores Surrealism’s imaginative landscapes, transforming them into metaphors for the unconscious and platforms for expressing political, gender and societal concerns. Featuring artists like Dalí, Man Ray, Lee Miller and contemporary contributors such as Helen Marten, the exhibition offers thematic groupings chronicling 100 years of Surrealism.

Tall Paul Kelly
This exhibition (until July 2025) at The Hepworth Wakefield Cafe showcases screen-printed posters by Saltaire-based artist Tall Paul Kelly. A recipient of the 2024 Print Fair Prize, Kelly began the series during lockdown after returning to West Yorkshire. The posters feature bold colours, striking compositions and subtle visual puns, inspired by tourism and commercial art.

Helen Chadwick: Life Pleasures
This retrospective (17 May–27 October 2025) explores the work of British artist Helen Chadwick (1953–1996), her first in over 25 years. It traces her career from In the Kitchen (1977) to Piss Flowers (1991–2). Chadwick challenged traditional ideas of beauty, blending aesthetic appeal with unusual materials like meat, compost and chocolate. Known for her feminist perspective and humour, she was one of the first women nominated for the Turner Prize in 1987. The exhibition examines her influence on feminist and material culture.

Caroline Walker: Mothering
Caroline Walker (b.1982, Dunfermline) is known for her paintings exploring women’s everyday lives. Trained at Glasgow School of Art and the Royal College of Art, her work spans large canvases, smaller panels and ink sketches. She examines the blurred boundaries between public and private spaces, focusing on women’s social and economic experiences. This exhibition (17 May–27 October 2025) features works from the past five years alongside new pieces exploring motherhood and early-years care.

Kira Freije
This exhibition (November 2025–May 2026) marks Kira Freije’s (b.1985, London) first major UK solo show. It features around 20 life-size figures arranged in small groups, suggesting fragmented narratives or emotional states. Freije sculpts the figures using welded stainless steel, aluminium casts of hands and feet, and materials like brass, copper and fabric. Faces are cast from people significant to her life. The exhibition incorporates atmospheric lighting and glass lamps made by the artist, creating an immersive, reflective space.

Visiting The Hepworth Wakefield

The Hepworth Wakefield is located south of the city centre on the banks of the River Calder. It is around a 15-minute walk from the heart of the city centre and the Chantry Chapel and Wakefield Kirkgate station are only a five-minute walk away.

Visitor facilities on the ground floor include a gift shop and a cafe bar that offers lovely views of the river.

If you have an interest in modern art, you may also want to visit the Yorkshire Sculpture Park around a half-hour outside the city and the Henry Moore Insitute in Leeds. Farther afield, Barbara Hepworth fans may also like to visit the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden in St Ives in Cornwall, which is run as an extension of the Tate St Ives.