Hepworth and her critics

Discusses the writings of the British sculptor Barbara Hepworth and the critical context in which they have appeared. The author notes the use of writings by Hepworth in the feminist works Voicing Our Visions: Writings by Women Artists (London: Women's Press, 1992) by Mara Witzling and Women Artists in the Modern Era: a Documentary History (Metuchen, New Jersey; London: Scarecrow Press, 1991) by Susan A. Waller, observes that reproductions of her writings also appear in texts by male critics, and considers how her words have been used either to highlight the problems faced by women artists or to demonstrate the restricted nature of their art practice. She explains how Hepworth sought to intervene in the critical debate by publishing two autobiographical works: Barbara Hepworth: Carvings and Drawings (1952) and A Pictorial Autobiography (1970). This essay is a revised edition of the essay which appeared in Barbara Hepworth Reconsidered (see ABM 28 08705 for abstract).