Henry Moore sculptures to be displayed at Wakehurst

A wild botanic garden in West Sussex is due to display a series of sculptures by Henry Moore, one of Britain's most influential artists. Wakehurst said the four pieces would be featured alongside newly commissioned works by other contemporary artists who are part of the Henry Moore Institute. A spokesperson for the botanic garden said the displays aimed to "continue the conversation of art and nature". Eva Owen, programme manager at Wakehurst, said they were "delighted" to host the pieces which "evoke the themes of care, protection and conservation". "This in turn reflects the vital work which we do at Wakehurst, including managing and researching an array of landscapes and natural habitats, as well as our Millennium Seed Bank," she said. Moore created more than 1,100 sculptures in his lifetime. His famous works include the Reclining Figure series, Knife Edge Two Piece and Nuclear Energy. Sebastiano Barassi, head of Henry Moore collections and programmes, said the artist's deep affinity with the natural world made Wakehurst and Kew "ideal settings" for his work. "Throughout his career, he was inspired by organic forms such as bones, stones, trees, and landscape," he said. Barassi said the sculptures at both Kew and Wakehurst aimed to offer a "fresh perspective" on Moore's legacy. "It invites visitors to reflect on nature, humanity, and the environment at a time when those themes feel more urgent and relevant than ever," he added. Wakehurst said the sculptures were due to be unveiled on Friday and remain in place until 27 September.