As part of The Art of Wallpaper: Morris & Co. exhibition season, we are delighted to present a series of online lunchtime talks exploring wallpaper, design history, conservation, craftsmanship, and the enduring legacy of Morris & Co.
Join our invited speakers - leading historians, artists, designers, archivists, and conservation specialists - as they share their expertise and insights into the fascinating world of wallpaper.
Mary Schoeser - Author, curator and leading authority on textiles and wallpaper
Mary Schoeser was the original curator of The Art of Wallpaper: Morris & Co. and is internationally recognised for her expertise in textiles, wallpaper, and decorative arts.
This wide-ranging talk explores the story of Morris & Co. from William Morris’s birth in 1834 through to the continued appreciation and revival of his designs, including the most recent displays of his patterns in 2020. Looking beyond wallpaper alone, Mary will also discuss related areas of Morris’s work and influence, including tapestries, Kelmscott Press, exhibition societies, and the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings.
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Dr Louise Atkinson - Visual artist, researcher and facilitator
Louise Atkinson’s practice sits at the intersection of contemporary art, visual culture, and ethnography. Her work explores relationships between objects, places, histories, and cultural narratives.
Kirsty Stonell Walker - Art historian and author
Kirsty Stonell Walker specialises in the lives of Victorian artists and models, with particular emphasis on the Pre-Raphaelite movement and the people connected to it.
Dr Emma Hardy - Assistant Archivist, Sanderson
Emma Hardy explores the history and archives of one of Britain’s most significant wallpaper manufacturers.
This talk will delve into the fascinating records behind Morris & Co. wallpapers, revealing insights into their production, design history, and enduring legacy through the company’s archive material.
Allyson McDermott - Wallpaper conservator and historic interiors specialist
Allyson McDermott is one of the world’s leading authorities on the conservation and recreation of historic wallpapers. Former Head of Sotheby’s Conservation Studio, she is an Advisor to the National Trust and Chair of the Historic Interiors Group of ICON.
Aliénor Cros - Interior designer and founder of Artfully Crafted
Aliénor Cros is a London-based interior designer specialising in historic styles and the founder of Artfully Crafted, a platform dedicated to celebrating craftsmanship and makers.
Aliénor will explore the history and production of wallpaper, from traditional block printing and rotary methods to modern techniques, and how these processes have influenced design. She will look at today’s makers of traditionally produced wallpapers and the unique qualities of hand-crafted papers. The talk will also explore creative ways of using wallpaper in interiors, with examples from historic houses including Sambourne House and Emery Walker’s House.
Book individual sessions or the full series, with a discount available when booking all six talks. Each talk will take place live on Zoom and will be recorded, with recordings available to watch for one week following the session.
Members of Watts and the Wallpaper History Society (WHS) receive a 10% discount on talk bookings.