Watts Gallery presents a major exhibition celebrating one of Britain’s most influential designers.
The Art of Wallpaper: Morris & Co is a vibrant exhibition exploring the beauty, craftsmanship and enduring appeal of William Morris’s iconic designs. The exhibition brings together more than 45 original wallpapers from the archives of Morris & Co. and offers a rare opportunity to see original, much-loved and well-known designs. Visitors will be able to get up close to original wallpaper and marvel at meticulous hand-printing techniques.
William Morris was renowned for his deep love of nature and commitment to craftsmanship, placing process, natural design and integrity at the heart of his work. The Art of Wallpaper: Morris & Co will reveal the stories behind the patterns, from intricate studies of flora and fauna to the hand-printing techniques that defined the Arts and Crafts ethos. Visitors will gain fresh insight into Morris’s creative vision, his collaborative practice, and the principles that made his work revolutionary.
The exhibition also explores the rich connections between William and May Morris and the circle of artists associated with Watts Gallery, including George Frederic Watts, Mary Watts and the De Morgans. Exhibition highlights include the portrait of William Morris (1870) by G F Watts generously loaned from the National Portrait Gallery.
The Art of Wallpaper celebrates the artistry of Morris & Co. and its designers, whose work transformed Victorian interiors and continues to shape modern design today.
Exhibition loaned by Sanderson Design Group Archive, London and organised by Dovecot Studios, Edinburgh.