What happens when you take the human body apart and put it back together? Bodies become landscapes, bones become architecture, and sculpture escapes the gallery walls.
In this film, HENI Talks explores the visionary work of Henry Moore —one of the 20th century’s greatest sculptors. From his iconic reclining figures and poignant wartime drawings to monumental outdoor bronzes like 'Sheep Piece' and 'Double Oval', discover how Moore stripped away detail to reveal the essential forms connecting humanity, nature, and space.
Follow Moore’s creative journey: how pebbles, elephant skulls, and Yorkshire hillsides inspired groundbreaking abstractions that revolutionised modern British sculpture.
Time Period:
20th century
Themes:
Jo Baring is an art historian who is passionate about making art accessible to all.
Her popular podcast series Sculpting Lives was The Guardian’s ‘Podcast of the Week’ and was picked as a leading arts podcast by The Times, The Royal Academy and The Evening Standard. She is the editor of Revisiting Modern British Art which was called ‘a game-changer’ and writes for museums and national publications. Jo has given talks at Oxford and Cambridge Universities, the Tate, the Royal Academy and the Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan amongst many other places. She has judged numerous art prizes including ING Discerning Eye, ARTiculation and Write about Art. She has written and presented two films on artist Elisabeth Frink for Heni Talks and appeared on BBC One’s Fake or Fortune.
In 2023 she was elected as the Frankland Visitor to Brasenose College, Oxford. She is the Director of the Ingram Collection of Modern British & Contemporary Art and a former Director of Christie’s UK. A graduate of the Courtauld Institute of Art and Oxford University, Jo works with charities and schools to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to fall in love with art.
10:13
Henry Moore's Vision
Godfrey Worsdale explores the bucolic epicentre of Moore's creative production: Perry Green.
9:17
Pisa Pulpit: ‘Judge by the correct law!’
Jules Lubbock solves the puzzle of how to read Giovanni Pisano's Pisa Pulpit.
10:19
Elisabeth Frink: Iconic Works
In this HENI Talk, Join Jo Baring (Director of the Ingram Collection of Modern British & Contemporary Art and a former Director of Christie’s UK) for an insightful journey into the world of one of the most influential British sculptors of the 20th century, Elisabeth Frink. In 1976, Frink set up a home in Dorset and was inspired by the idyllic countryside. Frink went on to create some of her most iconic works, exploring a variety of themes. Powerful and emotive sculptures capturing the essence of human vulnerability, the tests of religious faith and the changing forms of the natural world. This film shows the work of an artist that forever impacted the landscape of modern sculpture.
10:13
Godfrey Worsdale explores the bucolic epicentre of Moore's creative production: Perry Green.
9:17
Jules Lubbock solves the puzzle of how to read Giovanni Pisano's Pisa Pulpit.
10:19
In this HENI Talk, Join Jo Baring (Director of the Ingram Collection of Modern British & Contemporary Art and a former Director of Christie’s UK) for an insightful journey into the world of one of the most influential British sculptors of the 20th century, Elisabeth Frink. In 1976, Frink set up a home in Dorset and was inspired by the idyllic countryside. Frink went on to create some of her most iconic works, exploring a variety of themes. Powerful and emotive sculptures capturing the essence of human vulnerability, the tests of religious faith and the changing forms of the natural world. This film shows the work of an artist that forever impacted the landscape of modern sculpture.
6:49
Sandy Nairne explores how the art in St Paul's Cathedral captures changing ideas of spirituality.