The Henry Moore Institute

In a shocking development, sometimes shopping just doesn’t cut it. Sometimes I’m feeling the need to be at one with my cultured side. Not often but hey it does happen. Luckily Leeds is awash with such places and the Henry Moore Institute is on that list.
What I love about this place is it’s fusion of old and new, classical and contemporary. Bold brass sculptures stand along from minimalistic room spaces of design and provoking debate of what art really is. It’s also quite a distance away from the other galleries in Leeds, in terms of what it offers and is therefore definitely worth a lazy afternoon of contemplation and discussion. You can also look out for the touring installations involving sounds and visuals and indulgence quite regularly thanks to it’s frequently changing exhibition lists.
We like to celebrate a good old Yorkshire lad here in the shire and this Castleford born man came good. What better way to honour him than a stones throw away from his roots in our diverse city. You can leave your easal and berets at home though.

With its impressive black marble frontage the Henry Moore Institute looms over the art gallery next door, but in fact offers a smaller and more intimate space focusing on all aspects of sculpture and design. The collections cover all aspects of contemporary and classical sculpture, while temporary exhibitions explore the relationships between sculpture and other mediums. You couldn’t spend a whole afternoon here, but there’s enough to keep even the most casual admirer of art entertained for an hour or so, and with free entry it’s a great place to take a break from the hectic streets outside.

Henry Moore is right beside the Leeds City Art Gallery, and to be honest if I could only go to one, it wouldn’t be Henry Moore — the exhibitions that I’ve seen have largely been too abstract for me. The building is interesting with lots of different levels. The art tends to be modern and abstract — two years ago they had a room full of childrens drawings — none of them particularly good, and no explanations. It is harder work (or maybe I simply don’t understand). The guides are helpful but in general it is less user friendly than next door. It is free to have a look around, so you can’t loose. Give it a try, but go next door to the City Art Gallery for a comparison.