Beyond the Visual

Beyond the Visual is the UK’s first major sculpture exhibition in which blind and partially blind practitioners are central to the curatorial process and make up the majority of participating artists.

As the exhibition demonstrates, blindness is no barrier to creating ambitious, provocative and internationally significant sculpture. Incorporating touch, sound, smell and movement, the works are playful, poetic and often deeply thought-provoking. They challenge the dominance of sight in how we make and experience art, inviting visitors to encounter sculpture in ways that reach far beyond the visual.

Beyond the Visual brings together sixteen international artists and includes both historical and contemporary works. Historical sculptures by Henry Moore and Barry Flanagan show the importance of touch for both artists, while new commissions by David Johnson, Sam Metz, Serafina Min, Aaron McPeake and Ken Wilder engage sound, scent and touch to impart a variety of experiences. The exhibition continues throughout Henry Moore Institute, with a new sound and video installation by Fayen D’Evie with Georgina Kleege, Hillary Goidell and Bryan Phillips located in the Study Gallery near the lift. You can take the lift or stairs down to the basement Seminar Room for a rolling screening of audio-described films.

Please touch!

Every object in the exhibition can be touched. Dark grey carpeted areas indicate that a sculpture is within arm’s reach. You are invited to step onto the carpeted areas to touch, listen to and even smell the artwork that is in the centre of each area. Audio descriptions explain more about how you can engage with each artwork.

Our Gallery Information Assistants are wearing yellow jumpers. They are stationed throughout the exhibition to answer any questions you might have and to help with locating the artworks and using the audio guide. They can also assist with completing our visitor survey. We would value your feedback on the exhibition, and in exchange for completing the survey, you can take away a limited-edition Nugget of Embodiment artwork by David Johnson.

Audio descriptions

Throughout the exhibition you can use our audio guides to find out more about the artists and artworks. Each artwork has several audio tracks, including audio descriptions and the artist’s voice. Sound points are marked by yellow carpet circles on the floor. To listen to the audio descriptions, you can either scan the QR codes on the gallery walls or press the corresponding number on one of the handheld audio players available just outside the sculpture galleries.

Engagement and events programme

Our Explorer Baskets are filled with objects and activities to encourage interaction, thinking and making. While designed with younger visitors in mind, they can be used by people of all ages.

Visit our alcove area next to the lift and stairs to explore objects and make sculptures without sight using our sensory boxes.

Our family workshops and artist talks will explore the themes of Beyond the Visual, led by artists who are featured in the exhibition.

Schools and community groups can book free guided visits to our exhibitions.

Partnerships

The exhibition is the culmination of a three-year research collaboration between Henry Moore Institute, University of the Arts London and Shape Arts. It was funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council and curated by Dr Clare O’Dowd with Professor Ken Wilder and Dr Aaron McPeake.