Outdoor display
Vitality: The Human Landscapes of Henry Moore
Studios & Gardens, Hertfordshire
This event has passed
![Henry Moore, 'Two Piece Reclining Figure: Points' 1969 A bronze sculpture in the form of an abstracted reclining figure sited in a green landscape in summer.](https://images.henry-moore.org/uploads/2023/01/SarahMasonPhoto_060.jpg?resize=16%2C10&gravity)
For Moore, nature and the human body were sources of vitality, expressions of life-force which he could harness in his work, uniting and concentrating their vital energy.
Although his forms often appear abstract, Moore was fundamentally a figurative artist, and the human body remained his core concern throughout his life. In his maquette studio, he surrounded himself with natural forms – bones, stones, shells and driftwood – which he transformed into figures through the addition of clay, plasticine and plaster. When he enlarged these works and placed them outside, the rise and fall of the body – knees, breasts, and shoulders – echoed the forms of the land.
Moore enhanced the relationship of his works to their environment by incorporating space within them. He broke the figure into multiple parts and pierced his sculptures to create holes, making space a part of the sculpture and bringing the landscape into the very form of the work.
In 2023, more than twenty monumental bronzes inspired by natural and human forms are displayed in the landscape surrounding the studios where Moore developed ideas. Multi-part reclining figures are joined by some of his purest organic abstractions and works exploring his most iconic themes: the mother and child, the reclining figure, and the juxtaposition of internal and external forms.
![Henry Moore working on the plaster for 'Two Piece Reclining Figure: Points A black and white photo showing an older man working on a sculpture made from white plaster of paris](https://images.henry-moore.org/uploads/2023/01/1969-70_HM_working.on_.plaster_.LH606_EJ.HM384-scaled.jpg?fit=50%2C40)
Events at Studios & Gardens
This summer we are celebrating the theme of Vitality: The Human Landscapes of Henry Moore with a series of practitioner-led activities designed for different ages, abilities and interests. Join us to participate in workshopping, walking, talking, digital interactions and drop-in events.
![felix taylor](https://images.henry-moore.org/uploads/2023/07/felix-taylor-2.jpg?resize=16%2C10&gravity)
Digital Soundscape
Listening/Mapping by felix taylor
![HEADER Inflatable Artworks Tyrone Vera 1 Three inflatable sculpture shapes on a white background. A blue arch, yellow L -shape and orange triangle](https://images.henry-moore.org/uploads/2024/07/HEADER-Inflatable-Artworks-Tyrone-Vera-1.jpg?resize=16%2C10&gravity)
Drop-in activity
Inflatable Artworks with Tyrone Vera
11:00–13:00 & 14:00–16:00
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![Web_HMF 25.08.23 IMG_2512 Eva Louisa Jonas - Collecting Choreography - Photo Sophie Greenstreet A family of five people, three children and two adults, sitting on a lawn and looking at a huge bronze sculpture](https://images.henry-moore.org/uploads/2024/07/Web_HMF-25.08.23-IMG_2512-Eva-Louisa-Jonas-Collecting-Choreography-Photo-Sophie-Greenstreet.jpg?resize=16%2C10&gravity)
Drop-in activity
Assemble: Gather & Sculpt
11:30–13:00 & 14:00–15:30
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![Henry Moore, 'Working Model for Sundial' 1965 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.](https://images.henry-moore.org/uploads/2022/08/Henry-Moore-Working-Model-for-Sundial_John-Chase.jpg?resize=16%2C10&gravity)
Talk
Artwork in Focus
14:00
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![HEADER Alice Boyd at the Eden Project - photo by- Mark Lomas A young woman with dark hair, wearing headphones, standing surrounded by tropical foliage looking at a laptop](https://images.henry-moore.org/uploads/2024/07/HEADER-Alice-Boyd-at-the-Eden-Project-photo-by-Mark-Lomas.jpeg?resize=16%2C10&gravity)
Family-friendly workshop
Family-friendly Field Recording with Alice Boyd
11:30-13:00
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![HEADER Alice Boyd at the Eden Project - photo by- Mark Lomas A young woman with dark hair, wearing headphones, standing surrounded by tropical foliage looking at a laptop](https://images.henry-moore.org/uploads/2024/07/HEADER-Alice-Boyd-at-the-Eden-Project-photo-by-Mark-Lomas.jpeg?resize=16%2C10&gravity)
Adult workshop (age 16+)
Field Recording with Alice Boyd
14:00–15:30
Book Now
![BIO landscape Clay 1 BA](https://images.henry-moore.org/uploads/2024/07/BIO-landscape-Clay-1-BA.jpg?resize=16%2C10&gravity)
Adult workshop (age 16+)
Life Sculpting with ClayMakers
14:00–16:00
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![HEADER Abid Javed IMG_5443](https://images.henry-moore.org/uploads/2024/07/HEADER-Abid-Javed-IMG_5443-scaled.jpeg?resize=16%2C10&gravity)
Drop-in activity
Sculpting Stories with Abid Javed, Tessa Silva and Marek Pitera
14:00–16:00
Buy an annual ticket
![Moore with the camera crew while filming with C.B.S. on 16 August 1964 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.](https://images.henry-moore.org/uploads/2024/02/EJ_HM64_011_web-scaled_640x400_acf_cropped.jpg?resize=16%2C10&gravity)
Film screening
Archive Film Screening
14:00 & 15:15
![School workshop with Pinewood Academy](https://images.henry-moore.org/uploads/2024/02/Plaster-workshop-1.jpg?resize=16%2C10&gravity)
Workshop
Plaster workshops for local schools (KS2 / KS3)
9:45–13:00
Sold Out
![A tree in the grounds of Henry Moore Studios & Gardens, c.1980. A black and white, square format, photo of a tree in winter with bare branches.](https://images.henry-moore.org/uploads/2024/02/EJ_HM770_001-copy-scaled.jpg?resize=16%2C10&gravity)
Open archive session
Open Archive: Inspiration, Sculpture and Our Natural World
14:00–16:30
Drop-in, no booking needed
Explore Henry Moore Studios & Gardens in a new way with our free audio-visual guide on Bloomberg Connects, the arts and culture app.
Tickets
The Vitality exhibition is included in your ticket to Henry Moore Studios & Gardens.
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.
Plan your visit
Visitor season
5 April to 29 October 2023
Opening times
Wednesday to Sunday and Bank Holidays, 11:00–17:00
October only, 11:00–16:00
Henry Moore Archive
Monday to Friday, by appointment
Getting here
Henry Moore Studios & Gardens
Perry Green
Hertfordshire
SG10 6EE
United Kingdom
T: 01279 843 333
E: ReceptionDTH@henry-moore.org