Not a big sculpture fan but I’d have liked Moore.

From the land- Henry Moore, Ewen Henderson and other artists. The Collection Lincoln.

Henry Moore is the big draw at this offering at the Collection to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the Charter of the Forest which is Magna Carta’s less celebrated cousin. I saw both in the special exhibition at Lincoln Castle last year and it was quite a moving experience. I’m not a huge fan of sculpture but when such a celebrated artist as Henry Moore is on show in your home town there’s really no option in my book but to go and see for yourself.

Moore is the chap who does those rather Picasso style carvings that make you want to run your hands over the stonework but the customary do not touch signs are up to prevent such tactile explorations more’s the pity as it’s like trying to keep your hands off Marilyn Monroe, almost irresistible but rules are rules. Also a matter of regret is the fact that there’s so few of his monumental sculptures which are Moore’s trademark and the exhibition is padded out by drawings by Moore and the lesser known Henderson and others but it was well worth the effort and quite a coup for a city of Lincoln’s size.

In fact it’s been quite a year on the back of Magna Carta and the associated Charter of the forest which, added to the refurbishment of the castle and forthcoming embellishment of the tourist offering at Lincoln Cathedral, the city is fast becoming quite a tourist draw.

Whether that is a good or bad thing I’ll leave to you but there’s no doubt about it for the culture vulture there’s certainly plenty to see.