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

Inspiration, Sculpture and Our Natural World

Inspiration, Sculpture and Our Natural World

“Sculpture is an art of the open air. Daylight, sunlight, is necessary to it, and for me its best setting and complement is nature.”

Henry Moore

Join us for a season of events inspired by the relationship between sculpture and the natural world.

Nature was always at the centre of Henry Moore’s work. He preferred to work outdoors and saw the landscape as the ideal setting for his work.

“The observation of nature is part of an artist’s life, it enlarges his form-knowledge, keeps him fresh and from working only by formula, and feeds inspiration.

The human figure is what interests me most deeply, but I have found principles of form and rhythm from the study of natural objects such as pebbles, rocks, bones, trees, plants etc.

There is, in Nature a limitless variety of shapes and rhythms (and the telescope and microscope have enlarged the field) from which the sculptor can enlarge his form-knowledge experience.”

Henry Moore, 1934

Our 2024 events draw inspiration from Moore’s lifelong fascination with natural forms and his constant aspiration to forge a stronger connection between his art and natural surroundings.

Join us for workshops, film screenings, artist’s talks and archive events, which will illuminate Moore’s exploration of nature as a vital force.

A black and white photo showing an older man, wearing a hat and coat. He is standing in a field, leaning on a walking stick and looking up at a huge sculpture which is sited next to him. The sculpture has two abstract shapes which resemble and sheep and lamb.
Henry Moore with Sheep Piece (LH 627). Photo Henry Moore Archive

Tickets & booking

Many of the events in our 2024 season are included in an annual ticket to Henry Moore Studios & Gardens. Each event listing will specify whether you need to book a place or whether you can drop-in during the session. You can buy an annual ticket at the ticket desk, or book online.

Annual tickets

Visit Studios & Gardens as many times as you like during our open season. Each ticket is valid for 12 calendar months.

Adults:  £18
Children:  £8.50
Under 5s: FREE

Concessions: £16.50
Student / Under 25: £11
Families: from £30

Support our work, at no extra cost, by adding Gift Aid when you buy your ticket.

All events

Listening/Mapping by felix taylor
Part of Inspiration, Sculpture and Our Natural World
Part of Inspiration, Sculpture and Our Natural World

Digital Soundscape

Listening/Mapping by felix taylor

Studios & Gardens, Hertfordshire
Open Archive: Inspiration, Sculpture and Our Natural World
A vintage colour photo showing a garden with apple trees in blossom. In the foreground is a small, bronze sundial on a concrete base
Part of Inspiration, Sculpture and Our Natural World
Part of Inspiration, Sculpture and Our Natural World

Open archive session

Open Archive: Inspiration, Sculpture and Our Natural World

14:00–16:30

Drop-in, no booking needed

Henry Moore Archive
Studios & Gardens, Hertfordshire
Shapes & Shadows with Lizzie Lomax
Part of Inspiration, Sculpture and Our Natural World
Part of Inspiration, Sculpture and Our Natural World

Drop-in activity

Shapes & Shadows with Lizzie Lomax

11:30–13:00 & 13:30–15:00

Studios & Gardens, Hertfordshire
Archive Film Screening
A black and white photo showing an older man (sculptor Henry Moore) standing with a camera man. The camera man is making adjustments to a 1960s vintage TV camera.
Part of Inspiration, Sculpture and Our Natural World
Part of Inspiration, Sculpture and Our Natural World

Film screening

Archive Film Screening

14:00 & 15:15

Henry Moore Archive
Studios & Gardens, Hertfordshire
Open Archive: Inspiration, Sculpture and Our Natural World
A black and white photo, showing a stand of six slim birch trees against the sky.
Part of Inspiration, Sculpture and Our Natural World
Part of Inspiration, Sculpture and Our Natural World

Open archive session

Open Archive: Inspiration, Sculpture and Our Natural World

14:00–16:30

Drop-in, no booking needed

Henry Moore Archive
Studios & Gardens, Hertfordshire
Archive Film Screening
A black and white photo showing an older man (sculptor Henry Moore) standing with a camera man. The camera man is making adjustments to a 1960s vintage TV camera.
Part of Inspiration, Sculpture and Our Natural World
Part of Inspiration, Sculpture and Our Natural World

Film screening

Archive Film Screening

14:00 & 15:15

Henry Moore Archive
Studios & Gardens, Hertfordshire
Open Archive: Inspiration, Sculpture and Our Natural World
A black and white, square format, photo of a tree in winter with bare branches.
Part of Inspiration, Sculpture and Our Natural World
Part of Inspiration, Sculpture and Our Natural World

Open archive session

Open Archive: Inspiration, Sculpture and Our Natural World

14:00–16:30

Drop-in, no booking needed

Henry Moore Archive
Studios & Gardens, Hertfordshire
Artwork in Focus
A small bronze sundial, sculpted by Henry Moore, in the garden at the artist's home. Behind the sundial is a border of lavender and cottage planting.
Part of Inspiration, Sculpture and Our Natural World
Part of Inspiration, Sculpture and Our Natural World

Talk

Artwork in Focus

14:00

Book Now

Studios & Gardens, Hertfordshire