Group I (Concourse) February 4 1951 1951

Curator: Dame Barbara Hepworth completed this work, "Group I (Concourse) February 4 1951," a mesmerizing assembly of forms crafted from marble. Editor: The stark white against the dark backdrop gives the impression of figures frozen in some sort of ritual, their smooth surfaces cool to the touch. Curator: I see it as a response to the post-war landscape, reflecting on community and the resilience of the human spirit amidst social upheaval, the concourse a symbol of transition, change, and anonymity. Editor: The pierced openings in the sculptures allow light and shadow to interact, creating new shapes and adding to the complexity of the group dynamic, speaking to a psychological depth. Curator: Right, and Hepworth's decision to use marble nods to a classical tradition, yet the abstract forms disrupt conventional notions of representation, challenging the viewer to question the very nature of identity and form. Editor: The figures might be devoid of individualizing features, but their arrangement tells a silent story, a shared cultural memory. The forms are both ancient and utterly modern, suggesting time's passage. Curator: Ultimately, Hepworth's work invites us to consider the interplay between the individual and the collective, prompting reflection on our own place within broader historical and social narratives. Editor: Indeed, a fascinating composition that encourages the viewer to find their own meaning within the silent dialogue of these evocative forms.