About this resource

In 1953 Henry Moore was asked to create a sculpture for the new town of Harlow. Why did he choose to represent a family?

This resource provides a little contextual information, some discussion points and a practical creative activity that together can be used to:

• evaluate and analyse a creative work by the artist Henry Moore
• learn about the world's first sculpture town
• consider the role public art plays in your community
• produce creative work and explore ideas for a sculpture for your own locality

This Art and Design resource offers a series of activities that can be used together as a lesson plan or as individual components to integrate into your own scheme of work. It is devised for Key Stage 3/Level 3 but may also suit Key Stage 4/Level 4.

Henry Moore

Henry Moore (1898–1986) is world-renowned for his large-scale public sculpture, many of which are situated prominently in towns and cities today. Many of Moore's sculptures are derived from the female body, apart from a period in the 1950s when he sculpted family groups.

In 1953 Moore was asked to make a public sculpture for the new town of Harlow, Essex. It was one of his first public commissions and he chose to carve a mother, father and child composition from a large block of Hadene limestone sourced from a quarry in Derbyshire.

Pram town

Henry Moore knew Harlow as he lived nearby in Perry Green. He accepted the commission with enthusiasm and suggested making a family group 'conceived on human and classical lines' for the common near St Mary-at-Latton church.

A family-themed sculpture suited Harlow well. In the 1950s the town was known as 'pram town' thanks to its high birth rate – three times the national average. The sculpture became the emblem of Harlow.

Whole class activity: watch and discuss

A group of students from Harlow found out about Henry Moore’s Harlow sculpture and made this short film.

• In the film Harlow Art Trust's artistic director gives three possible reasons why Moore choose to depict a family. What are they?
• Do you think one reason is more likely than the others? Or did Moore have a mixture of motivations?
• Did Moore choose the right material for this sculpture? Why or why not?
• Henry Moore chose to depict a family made up of a father, a mother and a young child for 1950s Harlow. Is this vision of the family still as relevant today?
• After the war, new towns were meant to provide a better future for people and art was seen to be part of that improvement. Is this idea still relevant or is it outdated?

Developing one idea

Ask students to choose one idea to develop, making a bold, clear image of their design. When they are happy that their design communicates their idea clearly, ask them to trace it onto a sheet of acetate using a black permanent marker.

Choosing a location

As either a field trip or homework, ask students to take their acetate sheets outside and photograph their sculpture designs in spaces where their public artwork might go. This is best done in pairs, taking turns to be artist and assistant. The assistant holds the acetate while the artists direct them on where to hold it, and chooses the distance and angle to photograph from for composition and scale.

Ask students to photograph their sculpture designs in at least three different places to find out where they are most effective.

As a class, review the photos of the group's designs in different locations. Work in teams to make decisions about where each public sculpture should be sited around your local area. Encourage students to share their views on where they think sculptures look best and why.