Introducing The Art of Wallpaper
Morris & Co. Exhibition in York
Discover William Morris in a whole new light. This September, our Morris & Co. archives featuring over 130 wallpapers will go on display at York Art Gallery. The exhibition reconsiders William Morris’s influences, his creative directions, and his legacy over our homes and in the history of the decorative arts.
‘The Art of Wallpaper: Morris & Co.’ exhibition has made its way to York Art Gallery, following the exhibition’s time in Edinburgh.
The exhibition explores the work of British craftsman and pioneer of modern design William Morris (1834-1896), and well as the designers and history of the decorative arts firm, Morris & Co., that he founded.
Featuring over 130 works from the Sanderson & Morris & Co. Archives from the 1830s to the 1920s, the exhibition includes not only William Morris’ original designs, but also the objects that fascinated and inspired him. So included is the ‘kinkarakawakami’, a gilt leather Japanese wallpaper produced for export, and rare formal Victorian designs that predate Morris himself.
As the exhibition explores these archival pieces, we uncover William Morris not just as a designer but also as a poet, writer, as a fervent socialist, environmentalist, translator and protector of ancient buildings.
With walls painted in Morris & Co. shades of Chrysanthemum, Dearle, Leafy Arbour and Sunflower, Visitors will be later transported to 19th- and 20th-century interiors, looking at Morris & Co.’s framed original samples and carefully selected upholstered furniture in Morris & Co. fabrics. These intriguing interiors will also feature the works of the creative talent in and surrounding Morris & Co., including ornamentalist, designer, and architect Owen Jones, designer Christopher Dresser, as well as architects and designers, Augustus Pugin, and C.F.A. Voysey.
Caitlin Stracey, Archive and Design Manager at Sanderson Design Group, says "We are absolutely thrilled to continue the tour of The Art of Wallpaper exhibition, which delves into our rich Sanderson Design Group Archive. Highlights include works by William Morris, the pioneering figure of the Arts & Crafts Movement, and designs by his successor, John Henry Dearle. With over 100 original wallpapers on display, accompanied by pages from manufacturing logbooks and authentic woodblocks, this exhibition offers a rare glimpse into the treasure trove of our archive and the iconic pieces that continue to inspire our brands, including Morris & Co. today."
Running until 23 February 2025, “The Art of Wallpaper: Morris & Co.” celebrates the artistry and legacy of Morris & Co., offering a vibrant exploration of our design heritage. For York Art Gallery especially, there will be a chair reupholstered by Plaskitt and Plaskitt, an interior design showroom in York, in Morris & Co.’s Bluebell Embroidery.
The Art of Wallpaper: Morris & Co. runs 27 September 2024 – 23 February 2025 at York Art Gallery, Exhibition Square, York, YO1 7EW
