As one of the Collection’s founding works, 'Vertical Forms' is built directly into the fabric of the building, in a material found elsewhere in the architecture. Contrasting the strong horizontal line of the Main Building, three abstracted figures stand upright and interlocked. These forms reference the Three Graces, Thalia (Youth and Beauty) Euphrosyne (Mirth) and Aglaia (Elegance). The use of relief and curved lines demonstrate Hepworth’s interest in natural forms. 'Vertical Forms' was removed from the façade of the building for the first time since its creation in 1952. It underwent critical conservation work, before taking centre stage in a major exhibition about the artist at St Albans Museum + Gallery in 2019. Following the exhibition, and as part of the PMSA funded project, 'Vertical Forms' was re-sited at the University in a protected, prominent site to prevent further weathering of the carved detail and to ensure its preservation for the future.