William Morris

                                         William Morris 

William Morris was a poet, craftsman, businessman, a conservator of ‘historic and ancient buildings’ and a designer of textiles, tiles, stained glass and furniture and a leading figure of the Arts and Crafts Movement. Nowadays he is mostly known for his designs of wallpaper and fabric, which are still in production since his first produced wallpaper in 1864.

William Morris, Wind Rush

His timeless pattern designs are based on ‘natural forms and patterns’

William Morris, Tulip and Willow

The ‘diligent study of Nature’ was important to Morris, who felt that nature was the ‘perfect example of God’s design.’  He believed that the art of his age had less quality. Morris’ wanted a return to the good values of Gothic art in the middle ages, when artists and craftsmen used to work together for a common purpose: ‘to glorify God through the practice of their skill’.  Even in his childhood, Morris had a romantic attachment to nature through gardens, flowers and birds which kept recurring in his art and poetry.

William Morris, African Marigold

‘have nothing in your houses which you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful’
William Morris

His vision was to link art to industry by applying fine art values to production of ‘commercial design’. This was also a key stage in the evolution of design.

In 1861, along with others, Morris founded the decorative arts firm of Morris, Marshal, Falkner & Co.

Red House in Kent was built by Webb for Morris to design. The building featured Morris’ ceiling paintings and wall-hangings.

William Morris - The Arts and Crafts Movement. 2013. [ONLINE] Available at:
http://www.artyfactory.com/art_appreciation/graphic_designers/william_morris.html

William Morris - wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 2013. [ONLINE] Available at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Morris