Henry Moore comes to Welwyn Garden City
A towering statue by 20th century giant of the sculpture world, Henry Moore, has been erected on Parkway as a curtain raiser to the centenary celebrations of the town. Moore’s Large Standing Figure: Knife Edge stands 5m tall next to the Coronation Fountain.
Peter Waine, Chairman of the WGC Centenary Foundation said ‘We are thrilled that this major work by one of the twentieth century’s most famous artists is being loaned to us throughout 2020. It is a major coup for the garden city to be allowed to display this distinctive bronze statue.’
Howard Cropp, Trustee of the Digswell Arts Trust added ‘Henry Moore visited the garden city some forty years ago at the request of the Trust and was impressed by the quality of the landscape and urban design. We are delighted that the Henry Moore Foundation has agreed to this loan.’
The loan has been made possible by generous funding from The Wheat Quarter, the proposed arts-led regeneration of the former Shredded Wheat site. ‘Bringing world class art to the garden city is our driving ambition and we’re very pleased to support this centenary initiative’ said John West, Director of The Wheat Quarter.
Other sponsors include local contractor R C Potter, local residents the Fearon family and Carnegie’s sales and lettings. It was the late Andrew Carnegie, when he was a Trustee of the Digswell Arts Trust who drove Henry Moore around the town and it was Andrew’s ambition to see a Moore in place for 2020.
The bronze statue is of a standing human figure. Like many of Moore’s works it is semi-abstract and is heavily influenced by his studies of life in nature including flints and bones. More examples of his stunning works can be seen at his studio at Perry Green near Ware. This sculpture was until recently the centrepiece of the Royal Horticultural Society exhibition ‘Gardens and Sculpture’ held at Wisley.
Large Standing Figure: Knife Edge 1976.
Moore was a leading artist of the twentieth century with a global reputation.
