Kew Gardens to unveil largest exhibition of Henry Moore sculptures in 2026

The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew will host the largest-ever outdoor exhibition of Henry Moore's sculptures in summer 2026, featuring 30 monumental works across its 320-acre UNESCO World Heritage site and inside the iconic Temperate House, creating a unique interplay between the renowned sculptor's organic forms and the natural landscape.

Moore's Monumental Nature Exhibition

Titled "Henry Moore: Monumental Nature," this landmark exhibition will run from May 9 to September 27, 2026, at Kew Gardens in London, with a parallel exhibition at Wakehurst in West Sussex from June 5 to September 27. The comprehensive showcase will feature over 100 pieces, including the 30 monumental outdoor sculptures and more than 70 works on paper, models, and smaller pieces displayed in the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art.fadmagazine+1

The exhibition celebrates Moore's profound connection to ecology and natural forms, which remained a constant inspiration throughout his career. Visitors will encounter iconic works including Large Two Forms, Oval with Points, Reclining Woman: Elbow, Locking Piece, and Three Piece Sculpture: Vertebrae positioned thoughtfully within Kew's heritage landscapes. Unlike the 2007 presentation of Moore's works at Kew, which was concentrated in specific areas, this exhibition will span the entire site, creating a more immersive experience that invites reflection on how we perceive and interact with the natural world.kew+2

Temperate House Installations

The Temperate House, the largest surviving Victorian glasshouse in the world, will serve as a dramatic backdrop for several of Moore's most significant sculptures during the exhibition. This iconic structure at Kew Gardens provides a unique environment where Moore's organic forms will interact with the lush botanical collections housed within its glass walls. The juxtaposition of the sculptures against the architectural grandeur of the Temperate House creates a dialogue between human artistic expression and cultivated nature, highlighting Moore's belief that "the natural architecture of the environment could amplify the visual and emotional impact" of his work.fadmagazine+1

Unlike traditional gallery settings, the Temperate House installation offers visitors a chance to experience Moore's sculptures in a climate-controlled environment that still maintains a connection to the natural world, providing a complementary experience to the outdoor displays across Kew's landscape. This distinctive presentation continues Moore's legacy of exploring how sculpture interacts with its surroundings, whether in open air or within architectural spaces.artsy+1

Large Two Forms Sculpture

Large Two Forms (1966-69) is one of Henry Moore's most impressive monumental sculptures, measuring an imposing 365 cm × 610 cm × 400 cm (144 in × 240 in × 157 in). This colossal bronze work consists of two massive curving elements that almost meet, continuing Moore's fascination with points that nearly intersect. The organic shapes, each with oval openings, resemble human pelvic bones positioned as if in intimate connection.ysp+1

The sculpture's genius lies in its transformative nature—appearing dramatically different from every angle, inviting viewers to circle and explore its massive forms. Originally created as a small 16.5 cm plaster maquette in 1966 before being scaled up using polystyrene blocks and cast in bronze by Hermann Noack's foundry in Berlin, the work exists in an edition of 4+1. Notable installations can be found at Yorkshire Sculpture Park (Moore's favorite area of the Bretton Estate, where he enjoyed seeing his sculptures among sheep), the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto, the Neuberger Museum of Art in New York, and outside the former Federal Chancellery building in Bonn.wikipedia+3