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Wishing David Medalla congratulations on his nomination

THE HEPWORTH PRIZE FOR SCULPTURE

THE HEPWORTH WAKEFIELD ANNOUNCES FOUR SHORTLISTED ARTISTS

AND JUDGING PANEL FOR THE UK’S FIRST PRIZE FOR SCULPTURE

Simon Wallis, Director of The Hepworth Wakefield and Chair of the Selecting Panel said: “We are delighted to have such a strong and diverse shortlist for our inaugural Prize and are looking forward to working with these artists and to inspire and engage our audiences with the medium of sculpture. It is particularly fitting that we launch the first Prize of its kind here in the heart of the Yorkshire Sculpture Triangle.”

He added: “There are no shortage of prizes in the art world, however few specifically recognise sculpture. We therefore wanted to address this by launching one of the UK’s most important new awards. We have based the
selection of the four shortlisted artists on the significance of their contribution to sculpture in its broadest definition.”

The four shortlisted artists are (in alphabetical order):

 Phyllida Barlow

Steven Claydon

 Helen Marten

David Medalla

The finalists will present their work in an exhibition at The Hepworth Wakefield from 21 October 2016 until 22

January 2017. Visitors to the exhibition will be encouraged experience, debate and judge the Prize for themselves. The winner of the first Hepworth Prize for Sculpture will be announced at an awards dinner in November.

Phyllida Barlow said: "It was a surprise and huge honour to be short-listed for the inaugural Hepworth Prize for

Sculpture. Without doubt, it will be a thrilling experience to exhibit at The Hepworth Wakefield and to take into consideration its dynamic architecture which has sculpture very much in mind. It is also exciting to be exhibiting with the three other short-listed artists."

Steven Claydon said: ““I’m very pleased to have been shortlisted for this award. Although multifaceted, my work derives primarily from interaction with the world of objects: they are the conduits that provide access to the intangible realms of the emotional, digital and theoretical. In that way, sculpture always endures. This award is a validation of these imperatives, and of the part played by artists in Britain who contribute toward this medium.”

Helen Marten: said: “In a world collapsing under the pressure of billions of personal interfaces, it is exciting to celebrate our relationship to physical touch and the material substance of our daily actions. I am particularly
honoured to be included in a shortlist of artists so dedicated to making sculpture, and am excited to make an exhibition with a group of such esteemed and diverse practitioners.”

David Medalla added: “'I feel honoured in being selected for an exhibition at The Hepworth Wakefield. I think the Hepworth Prize for Sculpture is a palpable expression of the greatness of Barbara Hepworth as a sculptor. I love her enduring and inspiring art.'

The Hepworth Prize for Sculpture 2016 Judging Panel of five comprises:

Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev, Director of Castello di Rivoli Museo d’Arte Contemporanea and

GAM – Galleria Civica d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea di Torino

David Chipperfield: architect and designer of The Hepworth Wakefield

Sheika Hoor al-Qasimi, President Sharjah Art Foundation

Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, President of The Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, collector and patron of the arts

 Alastair Sooke, art critic and broadcaster

A nomination panel of five chaired by Simon Wallis compiled the shortlist:

Katrina Brown, Director of Common Guild

 Jennifer Higgie, Co-Editor of Frieze

Lisa Le Feuvre, Director of the Henry Moore Institute

Sally Tallant, Director of Liverpool Biennial

 Bart van der Heide, Chief Curator at Stedelijk Museum

#HepworthSculpturePrize