Henry Moore Textiles

About

Although Moore is best known for his sculptures, this acclaimed exhibition offers the opportunity to see his work on an intimate scale, bringing together dress and upholstery fabrics with wall panels, drawings and lithographs. Henry Moore was first approached to make designs for fabrics during the Secord World War, when Czech textile manufacturer Zika Ascher commissioned him and other leading artists to create designs for scarves. Moore worked closely with Ascher on the project, producing fabrics which were versatile and practical, yet remained vibrant works of art. The exuberant designs incorporate images of barbed-wire and safety pins as well as more light-hearted motifs of caterpillars, sea creatures and piano keys. Moore's work looked forward to a new era, in keeping with the artist's belief that art should be part of everyday life. His use of vivid pinks and greens, zigzags and swirls of interspersing colours contrasts with the often subdued colours of clothing and domestic fabrics in the post-war years. Works by Henry Moore feature prominently in the Robert and Lisa Sainsbury Collection. Early drawings, including several from his wartime ‘shelter series', and sculptures by Moore can be found on display in the Living Area and Reserve. A number of his large-scale reclining figures can be seen in the parkland surrounding the Centre. Henry Moore was passionate about world art, and this is reflected in his fabric designs in our summer exhibition The exhibition is accompanied by a fully illustrated book, available from the Sainsbury Centre Gallery Shop.