A legal and public battle has erupted in Norway over Kunsthall Stavanger's decision to sell Barbara Hepworth's sculpture *Figure for Landscape* (1960) at Christie's London, with an estimate of £1-2 million. The sale is intended to fund the institution's operating and exhibition budget, as the Kunsthall faces potential closure without the proceeds. Local group Stavanger Byselskap filed a lawsuit to block the sale, which was settled in the Kunsthall's favor, but over 260 community members have signed a petition against the deaccession. The Hepworth estate has also condemned the sale as unethical, noting the work was sold to the institution at a reduced price due to Hepworth's wish to have her work in a Norwegian public collection.
This dispute matters because it highlights the growing tension between institutional survival and cultural heritage preservation. Kunsthall Stavanger's supporters argue that selling the sculpture is necessary to maintain ambitious programming and avoid an empty building, while critics see it as a theft of public art and a betrayal of the artist's intent. The case also raises broader questions about the role of kunsthalles—which typically focus on temporary exhibitions rather than permanent collections—and the ethics of deaccessioning iconic works to cover operating costs. The outcome could set a precedent for how similar institutions balance financial viability against their custodial responsibilities.