William Morris exhibition opens at York Art Gallery

York Art Gallery is the first location to host the touring exhibition which opens today (Friday, September 27) until February 23, 2025.

Original wallpaper designs by Morris are on show as well as the work that inspired him, including rare Victorian and Japanese designs dating from the 1830s.

The British craftsman started designing wallpapers in the 1860s – and, within a decade, was creating some of his recognisable work.

Chrysanthemum by William Morris on display at York Art Gallery (Image: Gareth Buddo/York Museums Trust) His legacy as a designer, writer, poet, translator, publisher, socialist, environmentalist and protector of ancient buildings is also put in the spotlight at the York exhibition.

“He was someone who was a campaigner for workers’ rights and believed that everyone had a right to access art and nature,” York Art Gallery’s curator of ceramics, Dr Helen Walsh, told The Press.

Dr Helen Walsh, York Art Gallery’s curator of ceramics (Image: Gareth Buddo/York Museums Trust) She added that Morris believed: “Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.”

This is “becoming more and more important” now, Dr Walsh said, explaining that people choose items for their homes that they will keep and cherish.

Inside the William Morris exhibition at York Art Gallery (Image: Gareth Buddo/York Museums Trust) “It’s about the quality of the design and the fact it’s been hand made out of quality produce: it’s not going to fall apart in two years’ time.”

On show are 130 works dating from the 1830s to the 1920s.

Wallpaper designs on show the William Morris exhibition at York Art Gallery (Image: Gareth Buddo/York Museums Trust) The wallpaper is taken from the Sanderson Design Group’s archive.

Caitlin Stracey, the group’s archive and design manager, said she was “absolutely thrilled” to tour the exhibition, adding it offers a “rare glimpse into the treasure trove”.

“There’s probably something for everyone,” Dr Walsh said of the variety of designs on show.

Morris’ designs are recognisable across the world, she added, so it is “very exciting” to have them on display in York.

“It’s rare to be able to see his work all in one place.”

Morris exhibit continues outside gallery

Morris’ wallpaper designs are also exhibited in the Edible Garden behind the art gallery.

Dr Walsh said this was inspired by Morris’ ethos that art and nature should be accessible.

Many of his designs are inspired by the outdoors and “give a flavour of how beautiful nature can be”, she added.

Wallpaper designs on show in the Edible Garden behind York Art Gallery (Image: Gareth Buddo/York Museums Trust)

Morris was involved in the 20th century garden city movement which aimed to create green spaces in urban areas.

For the York exhibition, Dr Walsh explained, the gallery was inspired by this, especially as people reconnected with nature in Museum Gardens during the pandemic.

The William Morris exhibit has opened at York Art Gallery (Image: Gareth Buddo/York Museums Trust) The artwork is on display in the space at the gallery that previously housed the Claude Monet exhibition, centred around the artist’s 1899 masterpiece The Water-Lily Pond.

Dr Walsh said that exhibition drew around 70,000 visitors, and she hopes the Morris work will be just as popular.

“It was wonderful to have that audience,” she said of the Monet exhibition’s success.

• The William Morris exhibition is included with general admission to York Art Gallery (£7 for adults and £5.10 for children). For more information, visit: https://www.yorkartgallery.org.uk/