Henry Moore at Kew: Sculpture and Nature in Uneasy Dialogue
John-Paul Stonard offers a critique of the exhibition Henry Moore: Monumental Nature, currently displayed at Kew Gardens until 31 January 2027. This showcase includes Moore's bronze pieces such as Totem Head (1968), Oval with Points (1968-70), and Hill Arches (1973), which engage with trees like the Atlas cedar and deodar. Inside the Shirley Sherwood Gallery, visitors can find Moore's Transformation Drawings from the 1930s alongside a 1959-64 elmwood Reclining Figure, complemented by rare hardwood specimens. Stonard observes that while Moore's sculptures benefit from natural light, they may appear disconcerting, especially Three Piece Sculpture: Vertebrae (1968-69) located near the Palm House lake. The status of Dallas Piece outside I.M. Pei's City Hall remains uncertain due to threats facing the building, with most works currently in North America.
Key facts
- Henry Moore: Monumental Nature runs at Kew Gardens until 31 January 2027.
- The exhibition places Moore's sculptures such as Totem Head (1968), Oval with Points (1968-70), and Hill Arches (1973) among specific trees.
- The Shirley Sherwood Gallery shows Moore's Transformation Drawings from the 1930s and a large elmwood Reclining Figure (1959-64).
- Three Piece Sculpture: Vertebrae (1968-69) is displayed beside the lake in front of the Palm House at Kew.
- A larger cast of Three Piece Sculpture: Vertebrae, renamed Dallas Piece, was installed outside I.M. Pei's City Hall in Dallas, Texas.
- Knife Edge Mirror Two Piece (1977) was installed outside the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.
- According to the Dallas Morning News, the Dallas City Council plans to raze Pei's City Hall for a casino and arena, threatening Dallas Piece's future.
- Over two-thirds of Moore's works are in North America.
- John-Paul Stonard authored the commentary; his latest book, The Worst Exhibition in the World: Degenerate Art, 1937, was published on 5 May.
- Moore drew trees at Perry Green and Forte dei Marmi, which are included in the gallery display.
Entities
Artists
- Henry Moore
- I.M. Pei
- Ines Stuart-Davidson
- Mark Lamster
- Tom Wolfe
- John-Paul Stonard
Institutions
- Kew Gardens
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Shirley Sherwood Gallery
- National Gallery of Art
- Dallas Morning News
- Dallas City Council
Locations
- Kew Gardens
- London
- United Kingdom
- Perry Green
- Forte dei Marmi
- Italy
- Dallas
- Texas
- United States
- Washington, DC
- Heathrow
- North America