Why was Hepworth so important?

Hepworth was so important for a few reasons. Barbara Hepworth helped to push the art of sculpture in a new direction with her pieces that featured pierced details that provided a view of the setting beyond the artwork. Her considerations of space influenced the work of many other sculptors, including her contemporary Henry Moore. As a founding member of the Unit One artist movement, Hepworth also helped disseminate avant-garde artists' ideals throughout Britain during the 1930s. Her collectors include the Tate, the Dallas Museum of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. In 2015, Tate Britain held the first big solo show of Hepworth’s work since her death, bringing together more than 70 of her works. Many experts believe her enormous success helped pave the way for future generations of women in the arts. On 1stDibs, explore a diverse range of Barbara Hepworth art.