Visitors to the William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow can see the landmark exhibition from 9th November
Walthamstow’s William Morris Gallery will present the first exhibition on the influence of art from the Islamic world on William Morris in November.
A principal founder of the Arts and Crafts Movement, Morris was responsible for producing hundreds of patterns for wallpapers, furnishing fabrics, carpets and embroideries, helping to introduce a new aesthetic into British interiors.
While it has long been acknowledged that Morris was inspired by Islamic art, this will be the first exhibition to explore this important aspect of his artistic journey in depth.
Alongside his own iconic designs, outstanding examples of Islamic textiles, ceramics, metalwork and manuscripts from Morris’s personal collection – now belonging to major UK institutions including the British Library, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge – will be brought together for the first time to reveal the wider impacts of these objects, their designs and impressions on Morris’s creative output.
Featuring over 60 works, the exhibition will demonstrate how some of Morris’s best-known designs such as Flower Garden (1879), Wild Tulip and Granada (1884) were directly inspired by Islamic surface design and its technical application.
The exhibition is made possible thanks to funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Garfield Weston Foundation.
Ranging from popular 19th-century tourist merchandise to rare artefacts of historical significance, Morris’s collection of Islamic art reveals the importance of contributions of various cultures to the evolution of his design and craftsmanship. It will be the first time that many of these works have been exhibited since his death.
Visitors can view the exhibition from Sunday 9th November to Sunday 9th March 2025. Entry is free but there is a suggested donation of £5
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