I agree, it is difficult to judge abstract art, and I don’t care for a lot of recent stuff, which is aimed at triggering a reaction. But I’m not so sure Henry Moore fits the ‘trendy’ category, his key work was in the 1940s to 1960s and he really was a bridge between the realist art of say Rodin, who he admired and took a lot from, to the Modernist abstract movement. A lot of the works on display are of a realistic form —such as Draped Reclining woman:He too, didn’t think much of the Tate's purchase of Carl Andre's "bricks", of which he was quoted as saying, "Minimal Art is for minimal minds". Moore did base most of his work on the human form, using semi-abstract shapes that try and merge the human body within a natural form, reminding me of smooth pebbles. He said, “The human figure is what interests me most deeply, but I have found principles of form and rhythm from the study of natural objects, such as pebbles, rocks, bones, trees, plants." His sculptures do go well outside, amongst trees, such as in Kew Gardens.I also like Henry Moore’s series of drawings of people using the underground as air raid shelters during the war (The ‘shelter drawings’). These are very clearly realistic drawings, but with that smooth rhythm in the line.What I do know is that when I saw the 8 sculptures (of the 28) put in place so far in Kew Gardens, they had a dramatic effect with their soft smooth surfaces, and bronze sheen surrounded by trees. It didn’t cost me anything as a member and the RBG Kew Enterprises business operation will I believe have made a very good business judgement on this.
Duncan Walker ● 6485d