Exhibition: If not now, when?

The exhibition will feature 29 remarkable female sculptors, celebrating their contributions to the world of art from the 1960s to now.

This exhibition is the outcome of a two-year research project, Hepworth's Progeny. The research was funded by a donation from the Holberg Prize awarded to Griselda Pollock in 2020 for her work in feminist studies in the visual arts and to foster extended research in this field. The project was guided by an advisory board including, art historian Griselda Pollock and sculptor Lorna Green, The Hepworth Wakefield's curator Eleanor Clayton, sculptors Sokari Douglas Camp and Jill McKnight, and independent art Historian Dr. Alice Correia. The exhibition was co-curated by Dr Anna Douglas and Dr Kerry Harker.

The exhibition showcases renowned sculptors like Permindar Kaur, Katrina Cowling, Phyllida Barlow, Helen Chadwick, Kim Lim and Cornelia Parker, promoting diverse artistic interactions and practices. If Not Now, When? not only underscores sculptors' resilience in male-dominated spheres but also celebrates women's narratives and creativity.

Among the captivating works on display, will be Chadwick’s early masterpiece "In the Kitchen" from 1977, crafted during her MA studies, and Parker’s thought-provoking "Endless Coffee" from 2022. The exhibition will also feature works by artists who were frequently exhibited in the 1980s but whose art is now less commonly seen, highlighting the unique challenges many women artists face in their careers.