May Morris in Scotland
Image: Honeysuckle wallpaper, Design by May Morris c.1883 © William Morris Gallery.
Until March 2020, the Dovecot Studios gallery in Edinburgh presents a landmark exhibition exploring the life and work of May Morris, the youngest daughter of William Morris and one of the most significant artists of the British Arts and Crafts movement. May Morris: Art & Life tells the story of May, who at age 23, took charge of the Morris & Co. embroidery department and was responsible for creating some of the company’s most iconic textiles and wallpaper designs.
With over 80 original textiles, drawings, jewellery, and clothing from collections around the UK, May Morris: Art & Life will explore the designer’s extraordinary body of work, and why she deserves recognition outside her familial namesake.
Image: Embroidery thought to be by May Morris, Standen @ National Trust / Jane Mucklow.
Marchmont House - in partnership with Dovecot Studios and The William Morris Gallery – is holding a Celebration of Arts and Crafts Textiles on 1 February. During a day of talks, experts will explore May’s work and the work of the wider movement, looking to the key themes of nature, beauty and a sense of community. Speakers include Kate Grenyer, Curator, Dovecot Studios, Dr Lynn Hulse, Embroidery Expert and Joseph Sharples, Curator of Mackintosh Collections and Applied Art, The Hunterian.
The venue for the event, Marchmont House, is an imposing 'Grade A' listed Palladian mansion built in 1750 and contains some of the finest Georgian and Arts & Crafts interiors in Scotland. Situated at the heart of the Marchmont Estate near Greenlaw in the Scottish Borders, the house is only open to the public for a limited number of days each year, for tours and special events.
The Dovecot exhibition is included in Selvedge’s event listings page. Visit the page for our 2020 textile exhibition recommendations, we regularly update it with current and upcoming events.
For more information about the exhibition and tickets visit www.dovecotstudios.com
For more information about the Celebration of Arts and Crafts and tickets visit www.marchmonthouse.com
