Barbara Hepworth

Rock Form (Porthcurno)

About this artwork

Rock Form (Porthcurno) is an upright standing form, with a narrow base widening out towards the top, which itself is flat. The edges of the sculpture are curved and the form is punctured by several curvilinear openings, the inner surfaces of which are smooth and hold a warm golden patina, which contrasts with the green patina of the rough outer surfaces. The sculpture reflects Hepworth’s on-going interest in the relationship between landscape and human experience. The artist took her inspiration from the rock forms near Porthcurno, a hamlet close to Land’s End in Cornwall, 'with its queer caves pierced by the sea'.

This artwork is located at the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh.

Updated before 2020

see media
  • artist:
    Barbara Hepworth (1903 - 1975) English
  • title:
    Rock Form (Porthcurno)
  • date created:
    1964
  • materials:
    Bronze
  • measurements:
    243.80 cm (height)
  • object type:
  • credit line:
    Accepted by H.M. Government in lieu of Inheritance Tax and allocated to the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art 2013
  • accession number:
    GMA 5370
  • gallery:
  • artwork photographed by:
    Antonia Reeve
Does this text contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? Tell us what you think.

Barbara Hepworth

Barbara Hepworth