ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Eva Rothschild's Hepworth Wakefield exhibition engages with Barbara Hepworth's legacy in David Chipperfield's gallery.

exhibition · 2026-04-20

Yorkshire's latest art venue, The Hepworth Wakefield, has been inaugurated, featuring a temporary exhibition by Irish artist Eva Rothschild. This showcase presents new pieces that interact with the permanent collection of Barbara Hepworth. Designed by David Chipperfield, the gallery comprises ten trapezoidal blocks with silver-grey facades that harmonize with the industrial landscape. Inside, visitors will find a variety of ceiling heights and ample natural light, complemented by graphic design from A Practice for Everyday Life. Rothschild's exhibition occupies four gallery areas, highlighting works such as Moonface (2011) and Stairways (2011), alongside Hepworth's Hollow Form with White (1965) and Construction (Crucifixion) (1966–7). Additionally, it features The Black Cloud (2009–11) by Heather and Ivan Morison, representing the largest purpose-built art gallery in the UK in over four decades.

Key facts

  • The Hepworth Wakefield is Yorkshire's new art gallery designed by architect David Chipperfield
  • The inaugural temporary exhibition features Irish sculptor Eva Rothschild's mostly new works
  • Rothschild's exhibition engages in formal dialogue with Barbara Hepworth's permanent collection
  • David Chipperfield's design comprises ten interconnected trapezoidal blocks with silver-grey exteriors
  • The building is located on the banks of an industrial river in Wakefield, a former mining town in northern England
  • Graphic design for the building facade was created by A Practice for Everyday Life
  • The gallery complex includes The Black Cloud (2009–11), a temporary pavilion by Heather and Ivan Morison
  • This is the largest purpose-built art gallery constructed in the UK in over 40 years

Entities

Artists

  • Eva Rothschild
  • Barbara Hepworth
  • David Chipperfield
  • Heather Morison
  • Ivan Morison

Institutions

  • Hepworth Wakefield
  • A Practice for Everyday Life

Locations

  • Wakefield
  • Yorkshire
  • England
  • United Kingdom

Sources