overcoming moore+bacon

The AGO once more houses a fantastic exhibit, "Francis Bacon and Henry Moore: Terror and Beauty" up until July 20th. Though most of us are no strangers to the work of either artist, having them in the same room is not something to be taken lightly. If you are planning to go to the show, do so on a happy-go-lucky day, so that the optimist in you can handle it without much effort. Be sure to load up on sugary treats before you get there (spoonful of honey, an apple, chocolate) to grant the much needed sustenance during and after your visit. The show's title makes no effort in concealing the somewhat disconcerting theme to the exposition, and I confess I was deeply affected by its content, Bacon has that particular effect on me. It's been a few days since my visit, and I'm still struggling to articulate a coherent thought about it, a testament to a most emotional and exceptional subject matter.

Painting (left) by Francis Bacon, Three Figures and a Portrait, 1975. Sculpture (right) by Henry Moore. Photo by Derek Flack for blogTO.

Through the enlightening accounts found all over the galleries, the viewer is not only educated but also eased into the historical context that melds these two artists, offering further acumen through Bill Brandt's beautiful photographs.

Henry Moore by Bill Brandt, 1960.

Francis Bacon by Bill Brandt, 1963.

The exhibition is spectacular and exquisitely curated, grand in both scale and theme, a perfect exercise in contrast and comparison. The great discovery: Moore's London's shelter drawings during World War II. Extraordinarily beguiling.

Interestingly enough, Henry Moore created some beautiful designs for textiles (not included in the show), a discipline he delved into quite prolifically.
Click here to get you started on this particular aspect of his work.

Henry Moore, textile design. Barbed Wire, c.1946, spun rayon, printed by ASCHER.

---

Please click here and here and here  if you would like to learn more about the show.