Denis Mitchell

Denis Adeane Mitchell (30 June 1912 – 23 March 1993) was an English abstract sculptor who worked mainly in bronze and wood. A prominent member of the St Ives group of artists, he worked as an assistant to Barbara Hepworth for many years. His work is in the collection of the Tate St Ives, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the Fitzwilliam Museum, and the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

Early life Mitchell was born in Wealdstone, Middlesex on 30 June 1912. His father was a music hall impresario. In 1913, his parents separated and he moved with his mother and older brother Endell to live with an uncle in Swansea.

Move to Cornwall and Second World War In 1930, Mitchell moved to Cornwall with his brother Endell to help renovate his aunt's derelict cottage at Barnoon, St Ives. The pair ended up living there, establishing a market garden and taking odd jobs. During his time working for Hepworth, he began to create sculptures, first with wood and later with bronze. Denis organised the first meeting of the new society at the Castle Inn, where Endell was landlord. Other founding members included Hepworth, Ben Nicholson, Sven Berlin and Wilhelmina Barns-Graham. He was elected chair of the Penwith Society in 1955, O'Casey would later also become an assistant to Hepworth.

Personal life Mitchell married Jane Stevens in 1939 and the couple had three daughters, the first being born in 1940.