See our Morris & Co. original designs from the archive at Watts Gallery
On display now until January 2027
Discover The Art of Wallpaper at Watts Gallery, a new exhibition bringing together 30 original Morris & Co. works on loan from the Sanderson Design Group Archive. Curated by Mary Schoeser, with support from Archive Lead Emma Hardy, the exhibition explores the story of Victorian wallpaper through the work of William Morris and the designers of Morris & Co., placing their designs within the wider artistic and cultural movements that shaped them.
Beginning with the richly decorative floral wallpapers of early Victorian Britain, the exhibition traces the evolution of wallpaper design through French influences, manufacturers such as Woollams & Co., and the ideals of the Reform Movement. The work of Gothic Revival pioneers Augustus Pugin and Owen Jones introduced flatter, more geometric patterns that would prove hugely influential, while Japanese wallpapers and textiles, seen at exhibitions in London and Paris, inspired Morris' distinctive use of bold pattern, flat colour and carefully balanced composition.
Among the highlights is Morris' Chrysanthemum, represented by one of the original woodblocks used to print the design. It offers a rare insight into the craftsmanship behind every wallpaper.
The exhibition's central gallery brings together many of Morris & Co.'s most celebrated designs, including Blackthorn, Fruit, Daisy and Trellis. Alongside the original works are the stories behind them. Trellis, for example, was William Morris' first wallpaper design, inspired by the rose trellises in the garden of Red House, the home he shared with Jane Morris, designed by their friend, and Arts & Crafts architect Philip Webb.
One of the exhibition's most notable focuses is on the women who helped shape Morris & Co.'s creative legacy. For the first time, all three of May Morris' wallpaper designs, Honeysuckle, Horn Poppy and Arcadia, are displayed together. The exhibition also celebrates the work of designers including Kate Faulkner and Kathleen Kersey.
Families are invited to get hands-on too, with an interactive lightbox where visitors can trace Morris & Co. patterns and explore the craftsmanship behind the designs.
Whether you're discovering Morris & Co. for the first time or revisiting familiar favourites, The Art of Wallpaper offers a rare opportunity to see original works from the archive and uncover the stories behind some of Britain's most enduring designs.
