Homage to Barbara Hepworth Sculpture

I grew up in a steel-framed, glass house with minimal interior and 2 sculptures, both by Barbara Hepworth, bought in St Ives, close to our holiday home in Cornwall, by my architect father. These iconic sculptures opened the door to my exploration of form in a home with no walls. It was Barbara Hepworth's handling of 3 dimensional form and space that really inspired me to create a natural form with hollow centre that magically emitted light. The technical resolution of the Eye drew on my experience as a lighting and industrial designer. The original form of aluminium reflectors focused the emergent light as a parallel beam, so the eye saw a distinct circle of light on the axis of the circular opening. In order to create a more natural effect the spun aluminium reflectors were polished then hammered by hand to create a diffusing, roughened surface to disperse the emergent rays of light. The ovoid form is created in plaster and painted to resemble a natural rock. The execution is regarded as a triumph with the piece working perfectly with no adjustment required to the design.