St Ives: Renowned Hepworth sculpture temporarily relocated

On November 25, the cast bronze sculpture was moved to Kresen Kernow to protect it during the Guildhall Renewal Project.

It will remain on display for the public to see, before returning to St Ives Guildhall once the forecourt works are complete.

The Guildhall Renewal Project is one of nine initiatives funded by the St Ives Town Deal.

These improvements aim to revamp the area, introducing a level access entrance and a redesigned portico to create a more welcoming and accessible space.

The sculpture being moved (Image: St Ives Town Council) Kresen Kernow, which opened in 2019, is home to more than 1.5 million records spanning 850 years of Cornwall’s history, and now temporarily hosts Dual Form.

Deborah Tritton, service manager at Kresen Kernow, said: "We are thrilled to be able to provide a temporary home for Dual Form, which has been made possible as a result of the Government Indemnity Scheme.

"We would like to thank HM Government and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Arts Council England for arranging the indemnity.

"This ensures the public can continue to enjoy it while the much-needed work is completed at the Guildhall."

Relocation (Image: St Ives Town Council) Barbara Hepworth is recognised as one of the most influential sculptors of the 20th century, with works such as the monumental Single Form outside the United Nations in New York.

She gifted Dual Form to St Ives in 1968 after being awarded the Freedom of the Borough, personally choosing its position outside the Guildhall, and meticulous planning during the current renovation ensures its exact placement will be maintained when it returns.

The relocation of Dual Form was carefully managed by Sculpture Transport UK, a specialist sculpture-moving team.

Charlotte Tomlinson, project manager for the Guildhall Renewal Project, added: "There has been a lot to consider in moving Dual Form.

"With such an important and large sculpture, we’ve worked carefully to account for every detail, including commissioning an experienced team and making sure its plinth will be a perfect fit.

"We’re thrilled to share Dual Form with Kresen Kernow for a short time and look forward to its return to the Guildhall next year, where it will continue to inspire for decades to come."

Councillor Johnnie Wells, mayor of St Ives, said: "I would like to encourage everyone to go to Kresen Kernow to see Dual Form there, it’s a great building and well worth a visit."