William Morris (1834-1896) was born in Walthamstow (an area of London I don't know well- but which is an easy bus ride away) and died in Hammersmith; where I used to live. From 1878 until his death he lived in a house in Upper Mall, which I vaguely remember passing en route to one of the pubs on the waterfront. That might explain why there are pubs named after him in both of these areas.
This multi-talented man was a successful textile designer, poet, novelist and- despite coming from a well-off background- socialist reformer. He was heavily involved and very much associated with the British Arts and Crafts Movement, which preferred traditional methods of manufacturing and was essentially anti-industrial. He felt that much in the way of quality was lost during these modern processes and that conditions in factories were very often substandard. Whilst he believed that art should be available to all, he did not want to put profit at a higher importance than the beauty of the objects he was making.
I wholly agree with him- so much, nowadays, is lost in the name of commercialisation; something which I've noticed both in the fashion and literary fields. Indeed, clothing is more about 'hanger appeal' and churning out garments for as low a price as possible than care taken over the design process and proud individuality. Overseas manufacturing means that we no longer employ children to make our clothes, or allow people to work in (sometimes) inhumane conditions (whilst I respect the fact that not all factories are like that)- no, we've simply pushed the problem abroad, whilst putting British manufacturers out of business. I've seen this first hand and it STINKS. Also, in the literary world, the average novelist has to compromise and pigeonhole their work into the 'easy to read, commercial, 400 page novel' genre- how egregious and absofuckinglutely ridiculous. No wonder self-publishing is becoming the success it deserves to be.
Rant over- now on to the Walthamstow museum. Plans to open a William Morris museum were first discussed in 1914, although the William Morris Gallery wasn't opened until 1950. It underwent a major refurbishment in 2011-12 and is free to enter.
It was a squally day when we arrived at the William Morris Gallery...
It's housed in his childhood home and he lived here from 1848-1856, with his widowed mother and eight brothers and sisters...
You enter via the rather pretty shop (although they had no pens for me to buy my SuperDean as a souvenir...😞)
Here is a bust of the man himself...
In the next room is a quote I like. It reads,
'I do not want art for a few, any more than education for a few, or freedom for a few'.
Close-up of his plaster head...
This depicts the Oxford Union Murals (1857-59) which were painted by Pre-Raphaelite artists Edward Burne-Jones, William Morris and Dante Gabriel Rossetti (who later had an affair with Morris's wife.) They made the mistake of painting the murals directly onto the walls, so they quickly began to deteriorate. William Morris later completely repainted his design for the ceiling.
Red House in Bexleyheath, where Morris lived, with his wife Jane (who was a muse of the Pre-Raphaelites and of a lower social class to him) from 1860-1865. This is operated by the National Trust and is commutable, so I might just have to visit...😊
William Morris chairs and wallpaper...
Tiles...
Carpets...
Woven textiles...
Close-up of the kind of traditional (floral) yet modern (asymmetric) designs which were typical of Morris...
Traditional woodcut...
Stained glass- this man really was a versatile artist!
Weaving loom. I had a small version of one of these as a child...
Tapestry...
This room was quite small and right next to the shop. These pictures are quite dark as I didn't know if photography was allowed, and had to refrain from using the flash as it would have been too obvious...
Upstairs are pieces inspired by the repetitive nature of Morris's designs and executed by three local artists who are based at Blackhorse Workshop. The collection is called Beauty and Incident...
There is a room dedicated to a temporary exhibition of works by Frank Brangwyn. This is inspired by the energy of London.
Chair...
Screen...
This section is about Morris's life and politics. He quoted:-
'Well, what I mean by socialism is a condition of society in which there should be neither rich nor poor, neither master nor master's man, neither idle nor overworked... in which all men would be living in equal condition, and would manage their affairs unwastefully'.
'Ever since I could remember, I was a great devourer of books', quoted Morris. I loved this screen and it reminds me of the eye test you get at the optician's!
His passion for books and storytelling fed into every aspect of his art. Here is another quote of his:- 'If a chap can't compose an epic poem while he's weaving a tapestry, he had better shut up, he'll never do any good at all'. I quite agree, and I'm not such a chap!
Of course, we have to have a Vain Old Tart photograph, with a section of SuperDean to the side...
My horsey friend- this section had puppets for children (and big children!) to play with...
Tile frieze. Morris & Co. still thrives as a design company today...
William Morris visited Iceland in the 1870s and fell in love with its strange landscape...
The Morris family left the house in 1856 and the next occupant was publisher Edward Lloyd (1815-1890). His son Frank eventually donated the house and grounds to Walthamstow, and Lloyd Park was opened in 1900.
Beautiful blossom...
Bubbling brook cascade...
Island...
Bridge...
My favourite, pretty water view...
The back view of the house...
Would I return? Yes, definitely. Also, the weather was very changeable (brilliant sunshine with shifting clouds one minute, then a deluge of spit the next) and a tad chilly, so it would be nice to return on a more clement day!
TTFN
The Miss Elaineous
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