Comments on: William Morris In The East End https://spitalfieldslife.com/2023/08/27/william-morris-in-the-east-end-i/ In the midst of life I woke to find myself living in an old house beside Brick Lane in the East End of London Mon, 04 Sep 2023 08:52:05 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Linda Kincaid https://spitalfieldslife.com/2023/08/27/william-morris-in-the-east-end-i/#comment-1520469 Mon, 04 Sep 2023 08:52:05 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=196719#comment-1520469 A truly great man. Would love to have met him.

]]> By: Eleanor https://spitalfieldslife.com/2023/08/27/william-morris-in-the-east-end-i/#comment-1519961 Tue, 29 Aug 2023 07:03:25 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=196719#comment-1519961 Thank you for this lovely piece. I am so happy that his communism has been acknowledged and his activtism elaborated on. I was shocked to discover that someone I engaged with from SPAB had no clue that the co founder had a deep political commitment, but knowing the elitist (and ruling class biased) world of historic conservation as it is now, i am sure this ignorance is fostered. His realisation that his designs furnished the houses of the bourgeoisie must have been a depressing one! I think that’s why many artists in the UK who are communists and socialists like myself (also a historic conservationist like Morris) don’t bother to engage with the ‘art world’.

]]> By: David Ellison https://spitalfieldslife.com/2023/08/27/william-morris-in-the-east-end-i/#comment-1519847 Sun, 27 Aug 2023 22:23:30 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=196719#comment-1519847 A wonderful tribute to William Morris – thank you.
His spirit lives on.

]]> By: Sonia Murray https://spitalfieldslife.com/2023/08/27/william-morris-in-the-east-end-i/#comment-1519823 Sun, 27 Aug 2023 15:43:42 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=196719#comment-1519823 GA, what is that horrendous facade at Toynbee Hall? Surely the settlement house has not been demolished by developers? William Morris was a supporter. I have photographs of the beautiful refectory – Gran’s brother was a resident and teacher. Too much of the East End has been destroyed to put up soulless glass towers.

(Sorry, I don’t know how to put the wiggle under the c in facade.)

]]> By: Lynne Perrella https://spitalfieldslife.com/2023/08/27/william-morris-in-the-east-end-i/#comment-1519821 Sun, 27 Aug 2023 15:16:14 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=196719#comment-1519821 What a two-day bonanza for your readers! First, the toy theaters and now William Morris.
Although today’s post mentions that his death might have been attributable to his enthusiasm for Socialism, I have discovered a different quote: “William Morris finally died as a result of………being William Morris”. When one reads about his rampant lifelong endeavors, a feeling of awe creeps in. He must have teemed with curiosity. I imagine him lumbering and bounding out of bed each morning, already inflamed with his ideas for projects, speeches, etc. Trailing pages of sketches and notes, perhaps.

Have you noticed? — I have. I will be reading about a favorite artist or designer and inevitably their admiration for William Morris is mentioned. We toss around the term “Influencer” a lot these days. Surely he was the original Influencer? My favorite story about Morris is that he got a yen to have his own suit of armor (well, sure) and taught the local blacksmith how to make it. In my minds eye, I imagine the baronial-sized Morris giddily slipping into this self-designed miracle of metal.
What a glorious human being!?

]]> By: Saba https://spitalfieldslife.com/2023/08/27/william-morris-in-the-east-end-i/#comment-1519813 Sun, 27 Aug 2023 13:42:42 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=196719#comment-1519813 I should have added that, here in the Hudson Valley, Andrew Jackson Downing, a landscaper, architect, and publisher, carried out commissions for wealthy clients but he also believed that everyone should have access to well-designed open space and was the original proponent of Central Park in New York City until he tragically died in a boating accident. Downing published a magazine with well-detailed instructions for DIY projects in the creation of gardens, furniture, and homes.

]]> By: Jennifer Newbold https://spitalfieldslife.com/2023/08/27/william-morris-in-the-east-end-i/#comment-1519812 Sun, 27 Aug 2023 13:38:13 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=196719#comment-1519812 I love your orange crate as an evocation of Morris — evocation and icon!

]]> By: Saba https://spitalfieldslife.com/2023/08/27/william-morris-in-the-east-end-i/#comment-1519811 Sun, 27 Aug 2023 13:33:43 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=196719#comment-1519811 I do forget the deeply political roots of some writers and artists in the late nineteenth century. These brave people are a call to us today.

GA, is it not time for your annual vacation?

]]> By: Christine https://spitalfieldslife.com/2023/08/27/william-morris-in-the-east-end-i/#comment-1519810 Sun, 27 Aug 2023 13:25:16 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=196719#comment-1519810 I found this very interesting and did not realise that William Morris was such an activist! I also only found out recently his Company fitted the stained glass windows that Edward Burne-Jones designed for St Phillips Cathedral in Birmingham and made by Morris & Co that were installed between 1885 and 1897. Love the Posters too x

]]> By: Patricia https://spitalfieldslife.com/2023/08/27/william-morris-in-the-east-end-i/#comment-1519807 Sun, 27 Aug 2023 12:56:06 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=196719#comment-1519807 Indeed, a man of conscience. Who dared to make his beliefs known.
The impact of the soap/orange box placed in significant areas he was active in is powerful.

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