Des Hughes: Stretch Out and Wait

12 Sep 2015-24 Apr 2016

Overview

In 1980 Henry Moore donated a public sculpture, Working Model of Draped Reclining Figure, to Castleford. Contemporary artist Des Hughes has traced the story of Moore’s gift through press clippings, posters, and correspondence found in The Hepworth Wakefield Archive. Hughes will integrate these documents alongside his own work in specially designed cabinets, appropriating a style found in the modernist home of Erno Goldfinger. Hughes’ complete series of ‘flints’ will also be displayed for the first time, deceptive bronzes made to look like stones, gently mocking Moore and Hepworth’s doctrine of ‘truth to materials’. The exhibition will include Hughes’ working models for a pair of new reclining figures, to be placed at Castleford Academy and outside The Hepworth Wakefield respectively, and will feature work made by school children in response to these new public sculptures.