Henry Moore’s Sculptures Enhance Kew Gardens’ Outdoors

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, September 6, 2026

Kew Gardens is hosting *Henry Moore: Monumental Nature*, the largest open-air exhibition of the British sculptor’s work, featuring 30 bronze and fiberglass pieces displayed throughout its gardens. The exhibition highlights Moore’s commitment to integrating sculpture with natural surroundings, offering visitors a unique experience that emphasizes the interaction between art, light, and environment.

An extensive exhibition showcasing the work of British sculptor Henry Moore is currently on display at Kew Gardens, featuring 30 pieces predominantly cast in bronze and arranged throughout the outdoor grounds. Titled *Henry Moore: Monumental Nature*, this marks the largest presentation of Moore’s sculptures in an open-air setting to date.

Moore, who passed away in 1986, was known for his preference to exhibit his works in natural environments rather than confined gallery spaces. The exhibition reflects this philosophy, with sculptures positioned to interact with the natural light, weather, and surrounding plant life of Kew Gardens. One notable piece, *Large Reclining Figure* — a smooth, white fiberglass representation of a reclining female form — appears to bask under the sun on warm afternoons. Another abstract work, *Double Oval*, has become a favorite for visitors picnicking nearby due to the unique shadow it casts, creating a hollowed oval shape on the ground.

Some of the sculptures’ imposing sizes presented logistical challenges during transport, requiring open-top lorries to bring them to Kew as they exceeded the height limits of standard vehicles. Despite their scale, the works do not dominate the landscape; rather, they complement their botanical surroundings. For example, *Large Totem Head* sits adjacent to an atlas cedar tree and resembles an oversized pine cone, creating a visual harmony with the natural environment.

In addition to the outdoor sculptures, the exhibition includes smaller-scale works, as well as drawings and prints, displayed inside Kew’s Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art. However, the outdoor pieces remain the focal point, showcasing the dynamic relationship between Moore’s art and the changing conditions of light and nature.

*Henry Moore: Monumental Nature* offers a distinctive experience that celebrates the integration of sculpture with the outdoors, underscoring the artist’s belief in the significance of open-air display. The exhibition remains open to visitors at Kew Gardens through the current season.

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