Melanie Vandenbrouck – författare

‘I have waited 30 yrs to see Greece’, Barbara Hepworth wrote while travelling through the Peloponnese and the Aegean and Cycladic islands in August 1954. At a turning point in Hepworth’s life and career, it would have a profound impact, leading her to reflect in 1964: ‘a whole decade later … It is deeply part of my work’ Shaping her thinking and expanding her artistic language, the memory of this transformative journey nourished Hepworth’s practice until the end of her life. Hepworth’s visceral encounter renewed her lifelong exploration of the relationship between the human figure and landscape. The colours, light, elemental forces and sense of space of Greece inspired some of her best-known works, including her extraordinary Guarea wood carvings and her Aegean Suite of lithographs. Beautifully illustrated and published to accompany the exhibition of the same title at Pallant House Gallery, Barbara Hepworth and Greece offers new insight into the work of Britain’s best-known modern artist. This is the first publication dedicated to Hepworth’s deep affinity for Greece – from her early fascination for classical culture, to the revelation she experienced after encountering its landscape, people and ancient art and architecture in 1954, through to the works of Greek inspiration she created in her last two decades.Distributed for Pallant House Gallery

A fully illustrated publication to accompany the first major presentation of William Nicholson (1872- 1949) in over two decades, spanning the entire career of an extraordinarily versatile and popular artist. Defying categorisation, Nicholson sat both at the heart of the art world and apart from artistic movements of his day. In this book, his spectacular output is considered afresh, from his acclaimed prints and book illustrations to his sensitive portraits of individuals of all ages and from all groups in British society. In unrivalled still lifes to expansive landscapes, Nicholson’s pictures are not simply representations of the visible world or scenes ripe with hidden symbolism; his are paintings of dazzling brushwork and exquisite colours that speak of his delight in the observation of his subjects. Exploring the premise that Nicholson’s work is more complex than previous interpretations have suggested, this publication will position Nicholson’s output as a product of the artist’s times, as revealed by his portrayals of key figures of the British Empire and his close relationship with London’s theatre world.Distributed for Pallant House Gallery