When British sculptor Henry Moore was celebrated in a Hong Kong exhibition opened by royalty
“The Museum of Art is to publish a catalogue on Henry Moore – the world’s grandest old man of sculpture – to mark an exhibition of his work to be opened in February by the Duchess of Kent,” wrote the South China Morning Post on November 19, 1985.
“The 408-page publication, the first authoritative work ever to be printed in English and Chinese on the artist, features 127 colour plates and 185 illustrations to demonstrate Moore’s conceptual and developmental trends in the past 60 years.
“Also included are quotations from the sculptor himself on various aspects of his art, a biography of the artist by the curator of the Henry Moore Foundation, Mr David Mitchinson, a preface by the chief curator of the Hongkong Museum of Art, Mr Laurence Tam, and an introduction by the director of the Tate Gallery of London, Professor Alan Bowness. The catalogue, at $150 per copy, will go on sale next year.”
On March 10, 1986, the Post reported that the “Art of Henry Moore exhibition, which has attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors since its opening early last month, has closed […] The Tsimshatsui promenade will be closed until March 19 for the dismantling and removal of the seven monumental sculptures.”
“Response from the public to the various educational programmes has been overwhelming, with lectures, workshops and film shows filled to capacity.
“Thousands more have enjoyed the indoor displays at the Hongkong Museum of Art, the Hongkong Arts Centre and the American Express Travel Service Office in Central.
“The outdoor works at the City Hall Memorial Garden, Edinburgh Place, Tsimshatsui Promenade and the Hongkong Academy for Performing Arts have also been eagerly photographed […] and appreciated by young and old.”
