Becoming William Morris - 6 years of Morris Quarter

Each year, artist Freddie Yauner undertakes ‘Morris-anuary’: a three-month homage to William Morris from 1st January to 24th March (Morris’ birthday), where he attempts to ‘become’ Morris whilst making new works. Immersing himself in the creative outputs, principles and vision of Morris and exploring how they can be applied to contemporary society.

Beyond the textile patterns he is best known for, William Morris was a social reformer and forerunner of the modern green movement. Freddie’s obsessive interest stems from Morris’ extraordinary breadth of practice and his ability to present an alternative to how we might live - bringing creativity, meaningful work and the natural world together for the well-being of all people and nature.

Freddie will talk through projects that have involved fishing for Salmon (and utopia) in the Thames; singing Morris's protest songs, using madder root to dye red flags with local communities; writing essays on extreme weather, farming and compromise; as well as making prints on Morris's own Kelmscott press using pollen as ink.