Hieroglyph by Barbara Hepworth, 1968

Named after the writing system of ancient Egypt, ‘Hieroglyph’ is the only sculpture in stone by Barbara Hepworth in the collection of Leeds Museums and Galleries. ‘Hieroglyph’ is carved from Ancaster stone, a form of limestone quarried in Lincolnshire and often used as an architectural building material. At Wakefield Girls’ High School, Barbara was inspired to become an artist after seeing images of ancient Egyptian sculptures. Her larger works in stone were facilitated by her move to Trewyn Studio in St Ives, Cornwall, in 1949.

LEEAG.SC.1968.0001 Given by the artist to Leeds Art Gallery in 1968.