Outdoor display
Vitality: The Human Landscapes of Henry Moore
Studios & Gardens, Hertfordshire
This event has passed
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.
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.
Digital Soundscape
Listening/Mapping by felix taylor
Drop-in activity
International Sculpture Day: Celebrate, Assemble, Recollect
11:30–16:00
Workshop
Plaster workshops for local schools (KS2 / KS3)
9:45–13:00
Sold Out
Education group visit & workshop
Education group visit & metal workshop, in partnership with Ore Projects (ages 16-25)
9:45–14:30
Open archive session
Open Archive: Inspiration, Sculpture and Our Natural World
14:00–16:30
Drop-in, no booking needed
Film screening
Archive Film Screening
14:00 & 15:15
Conference
Brâncuşi, Britain and the Idea of Modern Sculpture
Book Now
Open archive session
Open Archive: Inspiration, Sculpture and Our Natural World
14:00–16:30
Drop-in, no booking needed
Film screening
Archive Film Screening
14:00 & 15:15
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
Experience Henry Moore’s iconic work in the beautiful Hertfordshire countryside with a visit to the artist’s former home, studios and sculpture gardens.
Perry Green
Hertfordshire
SG10 6EE
United Kingdom
T: 01279 843 333
E: ReceptionDTH@henry-moore.org