Hepworth and the Cornish Landscape

Sculptor Barbara Hepworth loved walking out into the wild Cornish landscape and, even before she moved there in 1939, she was aware of comparisons made between her abstract work and ancient stone megaliths. But how much closer did living in St Ives bring her to this ancient and fiercely independent county?

Artists Lally Macbeth and Matthew Shaw live in Cornwall and created The Stone Club to celebrate pre-historic sites. Now their passion for dolmens, stone circles and standing stones leads them to reverse the gaze – to look at Hepworth sculptures in the light of ancient sites.

Produced by Sara Jane Hall

Broadcast: 9th February 2025