William Morris & Art from the Islamic World

The V&A’s Max Donnelly joins Rowan Bain and Qaisra M. Khan, co-curators of this pioneering new exhibition at the William Morris Gallery, to discuss how art from the Islamic World influenced Arts & Crafts designer William Morris.

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+44 (0)20 7942 2000
  • Friday, 7 February 2025

  • V&A South Kensington

    Cromwell Road
    London, SW7 2RL
  • The Lydia and Manfred Gorvy Lecture Theatre

  • For Members

    and general public; general booking now open

  • Tickets cost £12.00 - £15.00

    Includes wine reception.

William Morris & Art from the Islamic World photo
William Morris had a profound interest in Islamic art, collecting objects including carpets, textiles, metalwork and ceramics from regions like Iran, Syria and Turkey. He advised the V&A on acquiring Islamic art, including the Ardabil Carpet on display at the museum’s South Kensington site. 

To mark the launch of a groundbreaking new exhibition, William Morris and Art from the Islamic World at the William Morris Gallery, London, Max Donnelly (Curator of Furniture, V&A) will chair a discussion with the show’s co-curators Rowan Bain (Principal Curator, William Morris Gallery) and Qaisra M. Khan (Curator of Islamic Art, The Khalili Collections). They will share fresh insights into Morris’s collection and its impact on his designs. 

William Morris Gallery celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2025. This is the first in a series of anniversary talks being held at institutions across the UK during this landmark year.

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Header image: Nicola Tree © William Morris Gallery