Henry Moore’s Large Late Forms
It seems that this spring (yes, it is actually spring), is a rather fine time to be a Henry Moore statue.
Entering the V&A’s British Design from 1948 exhibition , one of the first things that greets you is the imposing 1954 Family Group, and now other members of the Moore family have been invited indoors for their first time in their heavy, immobile lives.
Next month, the Gagosian Gallery, in collaboration with the Henry Moore foundation, is presenting a show entitled Large Late Forms – some of which are being shown indoors for the first time.
These later works were created between 1960 and the late 1970s, and the show features works including Two Piece Reclining Figure No. 2 (1960), Reclining Figure: Hand (1979), Four Piece Reclining Figure (1972–73) and Reclining Connected Forms (1969).
Their vast scale is a testament to Moore’s belief that ‘Size itself has its own impact, and physically we can relate ourselves more strongly to a big sculpture than to a small one.’
Staying true to Moore’s reported desire for viewers to interact with the works close-up – and to touch them as well as see them – it seems fitting the sculptures are being given a chance to live within the space of a gallery for these few months. Even if we can’t physically touch them; the textures and ripples will undoubtedly be more keenly sensed in such an intimate setting.
Henry Moore: Large Late Forms runs from 31 May – 18 August at Gagosian Gallery, 6-24 Britannia Street, London WC1X
he is very ugly
he is very ugly