Maker/Artist
Morris, William
English designer, writer, and activist, 1834-1896
Best known for extremely influential designs in the decorative arts and as a political activist. Taking the Medieval craft guild as his model, he believed art derived from a craftsman's pleasure of work was instrumental to the rebirth of art. He established "The Firm," a company that designed furniture, wallpaper, and textiles, which included Rosetti, Ford Madox Brown, and Burne-Jones. His concerns that the artist should understand the craft process and to honor the materials chosen was later reflected in the ideas of the Bauhaus. He created a few paintings, but produced primarily stained glass, textiles, wallpapers, and book arts. British designer, craftsman, poet and political theorist.
