During the war years Denis Mitchell worked as a miner in Geevor Tin Mine where he first learnt to understand the nature of rock and became adept in handling the tools he would later need as a sculptor. On the recommendation of Bernard Leach, the famous potter, he worked as principal assistant to Barbara Hepworth 1949-59. After supervising the crafting of some of her most famous works he began to focus wholly upon his own work exhibiting in London and New York.
Here are some of his artworks owned by the Tate.
Cauca, bronze 1971 by Denis Mitchell
Turning Form bronze 1959 by Denis Mitchell 
La Pietra sandstone on slate base 1984 by Denis Mitchell
The flowing lines, light reflections, balance and uplift he achieves are breath-taking. His art works have a life of their own. The drawings of the sculptures he planned show the meticulous way in which he worked. These can be seen on the New Craftsman website.
He was highly influential within the art community of Cornwall as a teacher, through encouraging young artists like Bryan Pearce and in his role as Chairman of the prestigious Penwith Society of abstract artists. His friends included Ben Nicholson, Terry Frost, Bryan Wynter, Sven Berlin, Bernard Leach, Peter Lanyon, Patrick Heron, W. Barns-Graham and, of course, his mentor Barbara Hepworth, all internationally known artists.
Bude Look Group 