Henry Moore: Monumental nature review: Art and nature come together in stunning new Henry Moore exhibition

As I walked around the large green form, watching how the shadows and light changed as I moved, I felt my stress levels drop. Reclining Mother and Child by Henry Moore has a peaceful feel about it. I could imagine the mother and child enjoying the lush gardens they were sitting in, just as I was.

The sculpture is one of 30 of Moore’s sited among the landscapes and glasshouses of Kew Gardens in London as part of the new exhibition, Henry Moore: Monumental Nature, which runs until 31 January. Looking at the smooth curves, sharp edges and greens and golds of these bronzes, I really got a sense of Moore’s inspiration from the natural world. Some, like Large Spindle Piece, reminded me of seeds. Sheep Piece, as its name suggests, echoes a lamb with its mother. And the interlocking pieces of Three Piece Sculpture: Vertebrae evoked the backbone before I had even seen its title.

Moore’s use of holes and space means that as you walk around each sculpture, you gain a new perspective both on the artwork and the landscape. Double Oval – a piece that reminded me of the pelvis, with a large hole in each of its lobes – frames the Palm House from one angle or treetops from another, for example.

The accompanying exhibition inside the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art gave an insight into Moore’s process. His etchings of an elephant skull were mesmerising, showing how he could take curves, hollows, shadow and light and use them to create a real sense of depth I found myself lost in. Wiggly lines depicting bone growth were the only things anchoring these claustrophobic mazes to the original object. If you’re able to visit the exhibition, don’t miss these and his striking drawings of trees, as they really helped me see the inspiration for some of his more abstract shapes.

Kew’s sister site Wakehurst, near Hayward’s Heath, will also be hosting four Moore sculptures from 5 June alongside contemporary pieces as part of Henry Moore and More. A lovely, wilder space, Wakehurst has meadows, woodlands and wetlands to explore, as well as being home to the Millennium Seed bank. The bank’s story started in the Elizabethan mansion on site, where seeds used to be stored and tested in the elegant chapel and billiard room before the new facility opened – photos in the billiard room and a small exhibition in the chapel tell the story.

My favourite time of year there is April and May, when thousands of bluebells carpet the site. Henry Moore and More closes in May 2027 – visit while the bluebells are out and be astounded by both human-made and natural beauty.