Reasons to go to Wakefield just got bigger! We have the pleasure of introducing guest blogger James Butterworth of Architects Studio J in Leeds who is a bit of a fanboy!
A week or so back myself, along with other members of The Leeds Society of Architects, were privileged to get a sneak preview tour around the new Hepworth Art Gallery in Wakefield that is due to open to the public next May. I have been waiting for many years for this building to be completed and was eager to see if it lived up to expectations. Our tour was given by Natalie Walton who is Head of Learning at the gallery.
The key question often asked about contemporary art galleries is; will the building over shadow the art it is exhibiting or will it compliment it allowing each to express itself without detracting from the other? Personally, I think The Hepworth at Wakefield has got the balance just right.
The building appears unfussy and simply put together, a series of asymmetrical concrete cubes with large picture windows. Achieving this simplicity is not easy and with a price tag of £34.2 million it is not cheap either!
The concrete walls have been perfectly cast with beautiful clean lines and perfect neat junctions, the builders deserve a lot of credit here as this is not easy, especially as part of the building rises out of the adjacent river Calder.
If the outside doesn’t convince you, on entering the building you immediately know you are witnessing a first-rate piece of architecture. There are generous spaces and quality finishes throughout, delivering everything you would expect from an international level art gallery. It is the largest purpose built art gallery in the UK outside of London, and the building was originally meant to be 10% bigger.
With shop, cafe, offices and storage on the ground floor the 10 gallery spaces are arranged on a circular route on the first floor. There are 2 main aspects that struck me about the gallery spaces. The first being the large picture windows throughout. These are positioned to give views of significant surrounding landmarks such as Wakefield Cathedral, Emley Mast and the unique Chantry Chapel (for those who don’t know of this it is just over the road from the gallery and is well worth a look if you are in the area).
The second point of note is that there are very few right angles in this building! I found this made unique and interesting spaces, however I expect it will provide challenges for the curators trying to find the best way to exhibit the work.
I would love to show you photos of the inside of the building but the Architect, David Chipperfield has, disappointingly, banned any internal photography.
One of the gallery spaces is already set up ready for the public. For any Hepworth fan this is a real treat. The artwork has been called “The Gift” and is curated by her granddaughter Sophie Bowness. This is a collection of 40 prototype pieces hand crafted by Hepworth herself. It is possible to write much more about the art work that will be exhibited but that is for another time.
This building is a real jewel for Wakefield providing a lasting future to an area of the city that has been long forgotten and hopefully being the catalyst for further development of this previous industrial waterfront. I’m sure there will be a lot of local people who will not like the look of this building, questioning why so much money was spent on it and maybe they have a point? Personally I like the building and will be going back again as soon as it opens.
Thanks James, I enjoyed your description. I also liked the dramatic views over the weir and river. I understand that Wakefield has an unusual art collection – it should be interesting to see it here.
Having watched the Hepworth emerge over the past few years I must say that as I pass it on my way into wakefield I just sigh with disappointment. I have not had chance to visit inside and hope that it lives up to expectations. The exterior however is a ghastly grey blot on the landscape. It would have taken very little to improve a visitors impression of their entry to Wakefield but I am afraid the architects have failed on a monumental scale. Whether you like or dislike Hepworths work it cannot be denied that she produced objects of beauty, what a shame Wakefield and Mr Chipperfield could not achieve the same. Many people still think it is grim up north………..this building will do nothing to change their mind.
I would like to respond to Jim Altofts comments on our beautiful new gallery in Wakefield. Having been fortunate enough to volunteer at the gallery since June of last year i have seen the gallery at different times of the day. The colour of the building changes with the light, from stark grey, through slate grey, to soft plum and i feel it looks quite serene when viewed from across the river. As for the interior, WOW! i would love to live here, the internal spaces are stunning and many of our visitors views have changed once inside. So, Mr Altofts, PLEASE visit the gallery once opened in the spring , i’m quite sure we can change your views also.
I’ll do that Sharon. In the meantime can I suggest that whilst in Wakefield you find time to visit Specsavers?
What a disappointingly negative view upon this building. I would agree that a very bold and perhaps austere aesthetic has been presented, however, having been fortunate enough to experience the site in its entirety, it is these clean lines and simple forms which allow the wonderful pieces shown within to be appreciated and their impact emphasised due to the contrast that they have with their surroundings. An important quality in my opinion.
In addition to this, the buildings industrial quality and reference to the surrounding warehouses is something that makes it belong contextually to Wakefield, a town which owes much of its history and growth to industry. A conventionally “beautiful” design would have been out of place and tastelessly seeking of attention.
With this in mind I would suggest that this wasn’t a case for stronger spectacles but a more thorough consideration or what the design is trying to achieve.
It may be fabulous inside but that doesn’t change the fact that from the outside it looks like the first stage of a building project & to leave it in shabby grey, then expect people to marvel at the beauty of it, is unfair. Aesthetics are clearly important when talking about Art & I am so completely disappointed in the building & what it has done to the river area.
Completely agree with Jim – it looks dreadful from the outside & it really spoils the area. Very disappointing, I was so looking forward to it. It looks completely unfinished & the grey is so depressing. Poor show Mr Chipperfield.
Here’s Rowan Moore’s take today on David Chipperfield and The Hepworth Wakefield (and of course our good friends in Margate – Turner Contemporary).
http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2011/feb/06/david-chipperfield-turner-contemporary-hepworth-wakefield
Thanks for the comments.
I recognise that this building is not for everyone and maybe this is where David Chipperfield (the Architect) failed. Should he have gone for a more main stream design that would not offend anyone but equally not excite anyone?!
I hope over time the people of Wakefield will grow to love it and be proud of what they have on the waterfront.
James, that is sadly unlikely. A dramatic exciting building yes – but left looking like it’s unfinished & covered in grey plaster? Unimaginative and depressing. I cannot yet find a friend or family member who likes it.
I think its absolutely stunning, I saw it for the first time whilst passing on the train after having not been home for a long time. Lit up in the evening it took my breath away. Finally a piece of interesting architecture to go up in Wakefield — and one that provides a real draw for me to visit my home town besides family. It stands in stark contrast to the rubbish being constructed around the bus station.
As a son of Wakefield,I loved your comments Jim.I have seen the pics and expect the interior is excellent but the outside is poor.the ratepayers of Wakefield know little off “aesthetic” and “austere aesthetic”-cum on lad,who’s tha kidding?
An opportunity wasted.
visually inside a stunning space for a gallery. However looking under the thin veneer of this building you find nothing but sprayed M.D.F. and concrete.No natural materials at all, Having looked forward to visiting the Hepworth i left feeling sick at this cheap unfriendly use of materials. This not doing justice to Hepworth who was inspired by the landscape and natural shapes.