Monolith-Empyrean, Kenwood House

Monolith-Empyrean is a nine-foot-tall, abstract sculpture made of blue Corrib limestone. In Hepworth’s own words, ‘the rising forms spring from the bridged, pierced hollow which could be the bridge between the body and the mind seeking comprehension…The monolith is a monument to those who seek their freedom in the upper air even though it involves fire and falling earthwards.’ Some have suggested that the work commemorates the death of Hepworth’s son, Paul Skeaping, who was killed while serving in the RAF in Malaya in 1953.

The sculpture originally stood on the South Bank outside the Royal Festival Hall. It was moved to the grounds of Kenwood in 1963.

Overlooking London’s Hampstead Heath since the early 17th century, Kenwood House was transformed in the 18th century into a grand neoclassical villa. Now restored to its Georgian splendour, Kenwood is home to a world-famous art collection.