LONDON.- Refurbished, re-configured restored and re-hung, visitors once again are able to experience the stunning collection of William De Morgans ceramics and Evelyn De Morgans paintings the largest collection of each anywhere in the world.
While William De Morgan was the most important ceramicist of the Arts and Crafts Movement and a close friend and collaborator of William Morris, his wife Evelyn was a talented and acclaimed artist and symbolist painter.
Together they were actively involved in a number of social movements of their day; including prison reform and womens suffrage and so the Centre is also a rich resource for students of late 19th Century art, social and political history.
Once again the Centre hosts a lively and wide ranging programme of temporary exhibitions, many featuring the work of contemporary crafts-people thus promoting craft education and the best craft practices of today. The De Morgan Centre's aim is to ensure that the Arts and Crafts Movement goes on into the future and that the Centre remains a focus of relevance and interest.
For their re-opening, they present an exhibition of Fine Cells work in the re-designed temporary exhibition space. The charity trains prisoners in highly skilled and paid needlework, using William De Morgans tile designs for many of their cushion ranges. The De Morgan Centre has had a long-standing relationship with Fine Cell Work and now once again visitors will have a chance to see and purchase from a range of cushions, bags and small items.
The De Morgan Centre has re-opened alongside Wandsworth Museum which launched in 2010. The two small independent museums will support each other by sharing expertise and resources such as a fabulous cafe. Co-existing in the same building, the museums aim to provide an exciting and varied visitor destination in the heart of Wandsworth.