We set off early for a quick Sunday morning dash to the wonderful Hepworth Gallery in Wakefield. I was looking forward particularly to seeing the exhibition of the works of Axel Salto [and to dallying in the gallery shop a while too]. I did not know much about the artist but had seen images of his ceramics and was aware that Edmund de Waal, potter and author, had written about Salto and was giving some input to the exhibition.
I think I should probably say that my sensibility is often fed and nourished by other art forms. That music, painting, dance and three-dimensional art inspire me. Other artists’ practice can feel like the best creative food. Seeing their discoveries and quest to express themselves has a huge impact on my own thinking and poetic output.
Walking from the car park [and even before you enter the gallery], the building and its situation by the river, the medieval bridge and Chantry Chapel across the road, the thoughtfully planted garden to the side, all come together in a pleasing aesthetic confluence that give the gallery [named after Barbara Hepworth, herself born in Wakefield and a towering artistic figure of the 20th Century] one of the most beautiful settings of any museum ever.
And then the exhibition itself where fabric designs, art work and wonderful ceramics fought for my attention.
There were shelves of large clay, organic shapes with extraordinary textures. Light glanced over glazes. I sat and looked and took it all in and then watched a video of de Waal describing Salto’s work and influence.
Eventually sated, I ambled down to the shop, a very happy poet. I was reminded of the words of the great American artist, Georgia O’Keeffe, ‘Take time to look’.
Always take time to look, and then buy a postcard in the gallery shop!
PS: I was going to write about the results of the East Riding Poetry Competition, which I helped to judge, but illness prevented me from being at the presentation in Goole. The results, wonderful poems and poets, can be found here:
