Henry Moore’s father wanted his sons to be educated

Henry Moore’s dad believed education was route for his sons to avoid working down the local coal mine. My parents thought it was a way me to avoid hard manual work too.

I first became interested in appreciating art in my teens, I was useless at drawing and painting, and I was never any good at making plasticine models as a child. I was never immediately drawn to sculpture when I visited a gallery.

Detail of Henry Moore's sculpture showing curves of the figure and the texture of the bronze, with other exhibit in the far distance in the park. — *Detail of Henry Moore’s “Reclining figure and arch leg”*

Henry Moore’s pieces at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP), was probably my first exposure to his work. It has taken time to learn to appreciate Henry Moore; how to see art, and have the confidence to have an opinion.

Learning the art lingo can help in formulating and expressing opinions, by providing criteria that can inform your appreciation, develop skills in engaging the senses, creating space to think and gain incite.

I have frequently enjoying the space at the YSP and its art adds so much to the landscape. It is a grand day out for everyone whether you go on your own, or with company and especially nice for the whole family.

Henry Moore, originally a lad from Castleford, made these figures long before the YSP was established in 1977 and yet they fit like a made to measure suit, in the landscape, echoing the gentle hills and slopes of the surrounding area.