Henry Moore’s aesthetic language, which positions sculpture as an inseparable part of nature, comes to life at Kew Gardens starting May 9, 2026, in the largest outdoor presentation of Moore’s work to date. The exhibition, “Henry Moore: Monumental Nature,” places 30 monumental sculptures spanning the artist’s 70-year career across the vast grounds, dissolving the boundary between sculpture and living botanical forms. Available to view until January 31, 2027, these works have been positioned to interact directly with Kew’s centuries-old trees and historic landscape, allowing visitors to clearly feel how Moore’s forms transform or yield to their environment.
Inside the Artist’s Mind: The Gallery Selection
For those wishing to take a closer look at the “kitchen” of the creative process and Moore’s inner world, the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art is opening its doors. Here, more than 90 works are on display, including:
- Small-scale sculptures and maquettes rarely seen by the public.
- Original drawings and sketches that reveal the evolution of his monumental ideas.
- A curated selection titled “Monumental Botanical Art” from the Shirley Sherwood Collection, creating a dialogue that complements Moore’s perspective through botanical illustrations.
This exhibition chain invites the viewer on an endless journey of curiosity, centered on the artist’s fascination with growth processes, the relationship between internal and external forms, and the expressive power of the natural world.
Exhibition Details:
- Outdoor Exhibition: May 9, 2026 – January 31, 2027
- Gallery Exhibition: Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art
- Venue: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London
- Core Theme: The dialogue between human-made form and organic growth.
