WHAT? Henry Moore: Monumental Nature

WHERE? Kew Gardens, Royal Botanic Gardens, London TW9 3AB

WHEN? Now until 31st January 2027

WHY GO?
To walk through a world of sculpture. Visitors to Henry Moore’s Hertfordshire home in Perry Green or the Yorkshire Sculpture Park will know what a thrill it is to see his monumental sculptures scattered throughout nature. Now London’s beloved Kew Gardens are showcasing 30 of the great artist’s works across their grounds and inside the iconic Temperate House, and its World Heritage setting could not be more appropriate.

It’s the largest representation of Moore’s abstract sculptures connecting him to the natural landscape and reveals his endless fascination with trees, rocks, driftwood, bones and stones.

This landmark exhibition is an ode to nature with an added bonus. The Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanic Art are displaying Moore’s maquettes, carvings, prints and drawings, some 90 works in all, giving visitors a comprehensive taste of his creative thought process.

His drawings alone show that Moore was constantly ‘thinking through nature’ and, if he were still alive today, would surely have been totally engaged with this huge tribute.

Serious Moore fans will recognise major works like Large Reclining Figure and Oval with Points and marvel at their newfound temporary home in the majestic setting of Kew.

Scattered throughout the gardens, from the Great Pagoda to the Elizabeth Gate, there’s a handy map to identify each and every one with plenty of opportunities to stop, rest and have a coffee along the way.

Quite how the whole exhibition was erected is, in itself, a marvel of organisation, requiring cranes and crates plus some serious manpower.

IN THE KNOW
Stand in awe at sculptures that invite curiosity whatever your age. Young visitors can join the Henry Moore: Family Trail and explore the route while learning how his work connects with nature. For those less able to walk the length and view all 30 sculptures, there’s always the famous green Kew Explorer bus to help take the strain.