#nd13

 The socialist ideals of figures such as William Morris, who saw art and design as having the ability to improve the lives of ordinary people, could be seen to knowingly or unknowingly creep into the work of these up and coming designers. From around the 1860s, the Arts and Crafts Movement reacted against the industrialism of the age with an aim to improve domestic design. Broadly speaking, although the Movement flourished in both the country and the city, this feeling resulted in; an emphasis upon the role of the craftsman in an ever-more commercial society; a return to the medieval guild structure as well as more contemporary Pre-Raphaelite precepts; displaying truth to materials and the handicraft of the artist; finding inspiration in nature and a nostalgia for rural life.

William Morris Wallpaper

At New Designers, I was pleasantly surprised to find a general focus upon craft, the use of natural or recycled materials and a penchant for organic forms amongst many of the designers. A particular favourite of mine was the work from Bucks New University – clearly a great course and some fantastic designers.

 Following an exciting day at ND, I stopped by Michael Landy’s Saints Alive at the National Gallery which I have been meaning to get to for a while. My thoughts on that will follow.