The slow evolution of spring into summer in London is a wonderful thing: the clocks go forward, you no longer have to leave work under the cover of darkness, and instead of hibernating inside in front of the TV, everyone’s finally back up and about, ready to experience the brilliance the city has to offer all over again.
This summer, one unmissable event in London’s calendar is Kew Gardens’ huge Henry Moore exhibition, Monumental Nature. Organised in partnership with the Henry Moore Foundation, and supported by The Nora McNeely Hurley Foundation with additional support from Sotheby's, this is the largest ever presentation of outdoor artworks by this prolific creator of public art – and these grand, imposing sculptures have to be seen to be believed. They’re also accompanied by a show displaying some of Moore’s smaller scale works, tracing a throughline that spans his entire career, and offering a rare, comprehensive look at his brilliant work. That should be more than enough to convince you to get yourself over to Kew Gardens, but here are some further reasons to catch this exhibition while you can, for good measure.
This show is titled Monumental Nature, and the idea is that in the context of the Gardens, 30 of Moore’s sculptures show how artwork can shape and change a natural space. The sculptures are available to be interacted with, giving art lovers a way of seeing this work that feels less stuffy than the traditional gallery space.
Entry to the Gardens when you book online is £25 for adults, £2 for children aged 4-15 and £10 for young people aged 16-29 – and a day ticket also gets you entry to Monumental Nature. You get to enjoy the beauty of the Gardens as you’d usually be able to, as well as this landmark exhibition – it’s a great deal of bang for your buck, and a day out much less ordinary.
Children will enjoy the exhibition just as much as grown-ups - whether they’re marvelling at the imposing sculptures or enjoying the Henry Moore Family Trail. Aimed at visitors between five and 12, the trail involves 10 of the sculptures in the Gardens, each of which have different activities - including sensory moments with materials used by Moore, and games he played in his childhood - nearby.
While of course the Gardens are the main event, it is just as fascinating to see Moore’s work on a smaller scale as it is to examine his sculptures up close. Located inside the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art, inside the Gardens, this show displays works like paintings and sketchbooks, some of which have never been seen before. It’s a chance to get a truly 360-degree look at one of Britain’s most beloved artists.
And finally, if you’d like the chance to see this once in a generation show through an even more special lens, you can join the team at Kew for an event. Across June and July, there’s Henry Moore After Hours, which will mark the arrival of the summer with performances and creative workshops; in July and August, there’s the chance to take a sunset buggy tour through the show. Keen snappers can join a guided photography tour, while over June 12 and 13, guided wine walks through the exhibitions will be taking place.
Read more and book your tickets here.