Romantic idealists



August 22, 2014
William Morris and the Hammersmith Socialist League, c.1880 © Victoria & Albert Museum, London
William Morris and the Hammersmith Socialist League, c.1880
© Victoria & Albert Museum, London

 

In 1947, the immediate post-war period, the V&A Circulation department recruited three women who were to become legendary curators in their own V&A lifetime and beyond: Elizabeth Aslin (furniture), Shirley Bury (metalwork) and Barbara Morris (textiles, glass and ceramics).  In the late 1940s, a time of progressive socialism not just austerity, Bury and Morris were both members of the Communist Party of Great Britain. Reflecting on her affiliations and on being a’ rebel’, Barbara Morris spoke to me about her disillusion with party politics, identifying instead her allegiance with the idealist socialism of William Morris. Both were rebels with a cause: art and design for all.

We use third-party platforms (including Soundcloud, Spotify and YouTube) to share some content on this website. These set third-party cookies, for which we need your consent. If you are happy with this, please change your cookie consent for Targeting cookies.

0 comments so far, view or add yours

Add a comment

Please read our privacy policy to understand what we do with your data.

MEMBERSHIP

Join today and enjoy unlimited free entry to all V&A exhibitions, Members-only previews and more

Find out more

SHOP

Find inspiration in our incredible range of exclusive gifts, jewellery, books, fashion, prints & posters and much more...

Find out more