Interdependence: Henry Moore, Sheep Piece, 1971-72.
Artwork
During a research visit to Henry Moore Studios & Gardens as part of our MA Sculpture residency week in Unit 3, I encountered Sheep Piece (1971-72), a monumental bronze sculpture sited in the sheep yard field of the estate. The work consists of two similar, yet distinct, rounded biomorphic forms positioned in close proximity, leaning gently toward one another. For me, the composition suggests interdependence, creating a dynamic tension between strength and vulnerability held in equilibrium.
According to Henry Moore Studios & Gardens (2025), Moore’s enduring interest in the mother-and-child theme emerged from exploring the sculptural relationship between two forms: one larger and one smaller. Moore described the smaller form as ‘solid and passive, resting firmly on the ground and strongly resistant’ and the larger as ‘more active and powerful, leaning on the smaller one for protection’.
I am drawn to is this reciprocal bond between two forms that are neither fully independent, each sustaining the other. For me, it speaks of the relationship between child and parent, of belonging, and of cosmic unity where two forms, similar but not identical, balance and shelter one another. From ewe to sheep, from parent to child to the relationship between Earth and the universe, it is a visceral and cosmic bond all at once.
In my own practice, the idea of interdependence resonates through personal recollections of family life, particularly my relationship with my Mother. Her care and tenderness are a deep and formative force in my work. Though I work on a much smaller scale, I translate this interdependence into sculptural forms through repeated, meditative gestures; braiding, weaving, each requiring multiple independent yet interlocking strands, each one leaning on the other for purpose and, by extension, protection. The disparate yet connected materials I use, paper and wood, caraway seeds and glass, fabric and steel, reflect the relationship between child and parent: balancing, sheltering, and shaping one another. In my work, these materials give rise to forms that are similar but never identical, brought to life through weaves, braids, embroidery, patterns that echo across surfaces and substances. This repetition speaks to support and peace in entwined relationships, which, when recalled, define for me the essence of home and belonging.
Henry Moore, Sheep Piece, 1971-72, Bronze edition of 3+1, 570 x 627 cm. Henry Moore Studios & Gardens, Hertfordshire, UK. Photo by the author.
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