Kew Gardens Plans Largest Henry Moore Sculpture Exhibition

Kew Gardens will host the world's largest outdoor exhibition of Henry Moore's sculptures from May to September 2026, featuring more than 30 monumental bronze works displayed across its 320-acre UNESCO World Heritage site. Alongside these outdoor sculptures, the Shirley Sherwood Gallery will showcase 90 additional pieces, including carvings, drawings, and prints, highlighting Moore's creative process and lifelong engagement with natural forms. The exhibition, titled 'Henry Moore: Monumental Nature,' will also extend to Kew's Wakehurst botanic garden in Sussex, where Moore's sculptures will be presented alongside new works by contemporary artists. The show emphasizes Moore's belief that his sculptures are best experienced in natural landscapes rather than architectural settings, reflecting his connection to organic forms inspired by nature. The Henry Moore Foundation in Hertfordshire is lending most of the artworks, with a focus on illustrating Moore's view that art should interpret, rather than simply copy, nature’s complexity and beauty. This event offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore the interplay between sculpture, landscape, and ecological themes amid the backdrop of climate and biodiversity concerns.