Reclining Figure

First placed in Singapore: 1983

OCBC Bank Headquarters

Patron: OCBC Bank, at the insistence of I.M. Pei

The work is actually dated 1938, but it first made its appearance in Singapore in 1983. I.M. Pei designed a pond and plaza for the work. He was quoted as saying 'it is very light and almost whimsical. The building itself is a very strong, masculine one. So they should complement one another very well. And it's a piece that people can appreciate and get close to. That's very important. I am sure it will be well liked in Singapore.'

In late 2000/early 2001 the piece was moved forward in its small plaza, and cleaned (rumour was it had been suffering from bronze disease). The setting is much stronger now. It is given more space in which to work. This is the largest of Moore's 850 or so pieces.

Text of the Label:

Henry Moore (1898-1986) Henry Spencer Moore was born on July 30, 1989, in the northern English town of Castleford. Moore studied at Leeds School of Art and the Royal College of Arts in London, where he became instructor of Sculpture in 1924. His first solo exhibition was held in 1928 and by 1948 he had achieved recognition as one of the world's leading artists.Moore executed several important public commissions during his career, including the huge travertine Reclining Figure 1956-58 for the UNESCO Building in Paris.In the course of his lifetime he received honours, prizes, awards and honourary degrees from over a dozen countries, including the prestigious British Order of Merit in 1963.

Large Reclining Figure

A part of Singapore's heritage since 1984, this stylised bronze sculpture, enlarged from a lead model of 1938, was commissioned to express the OCBC's gratitude to the people of Singapore for their trust and support throughout its history. Weighing 4 tonnes and measuring 9.45 metres by 4.24 metres, it ranks as one of the largest works ever made by the sculptor Henry Moore. [text repeats in Chinese]

Last updated: Dec-5-2020