The daughter of the late artist and designer William Morris was May Morris one of the most pioneering talents of the Arts and Crafts movement.
From 25th April to 1st November 2026, The Lady Lever Art Gallery will display around 50 objects from museums and private collections across the UK, including from the Victoria and Albert Museum and the William Morris Gallery.
May Morris was a designer, maker, tutor, lecturer, editor and writer and she was a socialist much ahead of her time.
Embroideries, wallpapers, designs, sketches, books, costume and jewellery will be displayed in this exhibition that has been developed in partnership with the William Morris Society.
The younger daughter of William Morris and Jane Burden, May’s childhood was spent with her family friends in the crafts industries, including those associated with the family interior design business Morris & Co. Some of William Morris’ textiles and wallpapers were sold in Liberty.
As time went on May would be introduced to needlework by her mother and aunt, she then went on to study embroidery at the National Art Training School, South Kensington.
By 1885, aged 23, May had become manager of Morris & Co.’s professional embroidery workroom. She provided apprenticeships for working class girls from a school in London.
Fiona Slattery Clark, Curator of Decorative Art at National Museums Liverpool, said: “May led an intriguing life, throughout which her ardent socialist beliefs influenced her actions. From the forward-thinking career opportunities that she offered to other women, to her dedication for advocating the importance of women’s artistic practices, May’s influence is fascinating – and remains relevant to this day.”
For tickets to the exhibition visit: May Morris: Crafting a Legacy | National Museums Liverpool
