When most people think of Barbara Hepworth, they picture the iconic pieces inside Tate St Ives or in the Barbara Hepworth Museum & Sculpture Garden.
But did you know that St Ives itself is dotted with Hepworth sculptures? Wander through the town, and you’ll stumble upon her work in public spaces. These are pieces that feel alive in the context of the town she loved so much.
A Town That Inspires Art
St Ives isn’t just a pretty seaside town; it’s a hub of creativity that inspired some of Hepworth’s most abstract, organic forms. The granite, bronze, and stone sculptures you’ll find around town interact beautifully with the coastal light and landscape.
They aren’t confined to galleries, they are part of everyday life, making art accessible and unexpected at every corner.
Must-See Hepworth Sculptures Outdoors
Here are the sculptures you can see as you stroll through St Ives:
Epidaurous II
Dual Form
Madonna and Child
Carved in 1954, Madonna and Child (Bianco del Mare) is a profoundly moving tribute by Barbara Hepworth to her eldest son, Paul, who tragically died in an RAF plane crash over Thailand in 1953. It sits quietly within the Lady Chapel of the St Ives Parish Church.
The sculpture serves as both a personal memorial and a universal expression of loss, nurturing, and quiet grace.
Ascending Form (Gloria)
Created in 1958, Ascending Form (Gloria) is a bronze sculpture composed of two diamond-like forms, one emerging gracefully from the other. It symbolises growth and ascension.
The arrangement has been widely interpreted as reminiscent of hands in prayer, reflecting Hepworth’s renewed spirituality following the tragic death of her son, Paul, in 1953.
Presented by the artist to the St Ives Corporation in 1969, it now stands at the entrance to Longstone Cemetery, the very place where Hepworth herself was later laid to rest.
Magic Stone
Carved in 1972 from white marble (and mounted on Guarea wood), Magic Stone is one of Barbara Hepworth’s elegantly abstract masterpieces.
Its title suggests a nod to the ancient standing stones dotting the Cornish landscape, resonating with Hepworth’s poetic connection to place.
Since 1976, the sculpture has held a place of quiet prestige in the Hepworth Room at the Penwith Gallery, bequeathed directly from her estate.
Megalith
There is a memorial to Barbara Hepworth called Megalith by John Milne. Barbara Hepworth’s studio was called Trewyn (it is quite close by) and she died in a fire in it in 1975. John Milne was a pupil and assistant to Barbara Hepworth and also a close friend of hers. He made this sculpture in memory of her.
The beauty of these public works is how they feel integrated into daily life. Hepworth’s influence is always just a glance away.
How to Explore Them
The best way to see these sculptures is on foot. Start at the harbour, wander through the town center, and keep your eyes open for subtle plaques and abstract forms tucked in gardens or along promenades. It’s a bit like a treasure hunt, with the reward being a deeper connection to the artist and the town she called home.
Why It’s Special
What makes St Ives unique is how art and daily life coexist. Hepworth’s outdoor sculptures are not just monuments; they’re part of the living town. Seeing them outside a museum context lets you appreciate the play of natural light, the interaction and with the sea It is also lovely to see the way people engage with the art, kids climbing, tourists pausing, locals nodding in recognition.
So next time you visit St Ives, don’t just head to the museums. Keep your eyes open on the streets and gardens. Barbara Hepworth’s sculptures are everywhere, quietly reminding you why this little Cornish town has been a haven for artists for decades.
