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The Henry Moore Institute is closed for refurbishment until Summer 2024.

See & Do

Helen Chadwick

Helen Chadwick (1953-96) was a British sculptor, photographer and installation artist. She was an influential practitioner in the last quarter of the twentieth century and developed a new visual language about identity. The role, identity and representation of women were important themes in her work.

The 135 box archive consists of sketches, photographs, costume, notebooks and audio-visual material relating to her work, along with journals, notebooks, correspondence and much more, relating to the development of her career.

Notebooks and sketchbooks

You can browse through digital reproductions of Chadwick’s notebooks and sketchbooks below. They contain detailed research, sketches and ideas, providing a fascinating insight to her early work.

Notebook on early work (1972-75)

Contains detailed ideas and sketches on the development of early works made when Chadwick was a student, including notes on ‘juicy jokes’, ideas for self portraits and sketches of chocolates entitled ‘erotic exotica’.

 

Further notebook on early work (1975-78)

This notebook continues the detailed ideas and sketches from the first notebook on the development of early works made when Chadwick was a student.

Notebook on ‘Model Institution’ (1980)

This notebook charts the development of ‘Model Institution’, an installation with sound about unemployment that was shown at various venues from 1981-1983.

 

Notebook on ‘Fine Art / Fine Ale’ (1981)

Covers Chadwick’s Artist in Industry Scheme placement with Yorkshire Arts and John Smith’s brewery around the north of England during 1981.

Notebook on ‘Ego Geometria Sum’ (1981-83)

Contains detailed notes on the ideas, research and development for ‘Ego Geometria Sum’, including how Chadwick approached the subject of her past and memory.

Notebook (1984-92)

Containing notes on various works, such as ‘Of Mutability’, ‘Allegory of Misrule’ and from Chadwick’s commission based in the Pembrokeshire National Park which resulted in ‘Viral Landscapes’.

Notebook (1987-96)

Contains ideas, sketches, technical drawings and notes on the development of works from ‘Lumina’ to ‘Unnatural Selection’, including notes on practical information related to the making of works.

Notebook on ‘Viral Landscapes’ (1988-89)

Technical notes on the making of ‘Viral Landscapes’, mainly relating to the computer program ‘Synervision’ that Chadwick used to construct the work.

Search the archive catalogue

Find more information about the Helen Chadwick archive in our online catalogue.

 

Search the archive catalogue

Visiting the Archive of Sculptors’ Papers

The archive is free to use, but visits must be booked in advance so that we can get items ready for viewing.

Visits can be booked Tuesday to Friday, 10:00–17:00.

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Getting here

Henry Moore Institute

The Henry Moore Institute is currently closed for refurbishment until summer 2024.

74 The Headrow
Leeds
LS1 3AH
United Kingdom

T:  01132 467 467
E:  reception@henry-moore.org