About the event

Join us for this special talk as part of the Chelsea History Festival, during a year in which we celebrate art in the garden through our theme A Brush with Nature.

This talk, ‘Transforming the World with Beauty’– the Extraordinary Art and Work of William Morris explores the extraordinary life and legacy of William Morris- artist, craftsman, writer, poet, socialist and printer.

Although Morris was accomplished in many fields, it is his work as a designer that left the most lasting impression. Deeply inspired by the natural world, his floral motifs transformed Victorian interiors through wallpapers, textiles, stained glass, and hand-printed books.

This talk will explore Morris’s life and multifaceted career, with a special focus on the enduring beauty of his botanical art.

About the speaker

Helen Mary Elletson has been Curator of Research and Development at the William Morris Society since 2000 and Curator at Emery Walker’s House since 2010. She is the author of A History of Kelmscott House (2009) and Highlights of the William Morris Society’s Collection (2015), and has written extensively on the Arts and Crafts movement, including features in Country Life and The Victorians: A Botanical Perspective (2024).

Accessibility

This talk will take place upstairs in our Gallery space. Access to the Gallery is via a narrow 22-step staircase and unfortunately not wheelchair accessible. To speak to us about accessibility, please email .