Tate St Ives
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Image:St Ives, Cornwall, Porthmeor Beach.jpg Tate St Ives is an art gallery in St Ives, Cornwall, England, exhibiting work by modern British artists, including work of the 'St Ives School'. It holds a significant collection of Barbara Hepworth sculptures.
The building, designed by architects Evans and Shaleff, was opened to the public in 1993 - the third museum to be opened by the Tate Gallery. Located on the edge of the town, it inhabits a striking position in the landscape overlooking the stunning Porthmeor Beach, which is very popular with surfers.
A new extension to the gallery is currently planned. It aims to provide better education space and to accommodate larger pieces of art work.
History of 20th-century art in St Ives: the 'St Ives School'
In 1920, Bernard Leach and Shoji Hamada set up a pottery in St Ives, creating the town's first connection to international 20th-century art.
In 1928, an important meeting between Alfred Wallis, Ben Nicholson and Christopher Wood started the development of north Cornwall seaside resort of St Ives as an artists' colony.
With the outbreak of World War II in 1939, Ben Nicholson, Barbara Hepworth and Naum Gabo settled in St Ives, establishing an outpost for the abstract avant-garde movement in west Cornwall. After the war ended, a new and younger generation of artists emerged. These included Peter Lanyon, John Wells, Roger Hilton, Bryan Wynter, Patrick Heron, Terry Frost and Wilhelmina Barns-Graham.
Barbara Hepworth's studio and sculpture garden is now open to the public, cared for and administered by the Tate. Whilst Tate St Ives seeks to preserve the history of twentieth-century art in St Ives, the gallery also exhibits new work from artists working further afield. And St Ives continues to attract practising artists today. The beautiful natural landscape, the distinctive quality of light and the materials and forms of the historic town continue to inspire local and visiting artists alike.