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John Summerson says there are some marvellous things in a mathematical school in Oxford – sculptural working out of mathematical equations – hidden away in a cupboard – I think I shall go to Oxford as soon as I get back from Leeds.

Barbara Hepworth writing to Ben Nicholson, December 1935.

In 2019 artist Richard Paul went to Oxford University and photographed the very objects that Hepworth was referring to. Paul has combined these with 3D photographs and videos of works by Hepworth and Gabo, taken in the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden and Tate St Ives. Paul’s video reflects on the artists’ responses to the models and weaves in his interest in how we view the artists’ work.

Richard Paul born 1965, Paisley, Scotland lives and works in London. His work looks at the transformation of materials and how our own experience influences their effect on us. He works with photography, 3D lenticular photographs and 3D video installation. He has an MA Fine Art from Central Saint Martins and MA in Aesthetics & Art Theory from Middlesex University. He has taught throughout his career and presented work in solo exhibitions internationally, including You Might Find Yourself, Theodore Art, New York, in group shows including Light Observed, KARST, Plymouth and most recently curated the group exhibition Joy before the object for Seventeen, London.

The Circle is a Sphere Seen from Afar 2020 was commissioned by Tate St Ives.

This new video is presented in the St Ives Studio, a space for highlighting links, connections and new perspectives in the Modern Art and St Ives displays.

With thanks to the Barbara Hepworth © Bowness and the work of Naum Gabo © Nina and Graham Williams.

Production and research support from Sam Howison, Dyrol Lumbard and Andras Juhasz from Oxford University.