Caption: 'Japan' printed by Jeffrey & Co 1914 (top) and 'Woodnotes' by Walter Crane 1886 (above) form part of the exhibition
Studying walls may not be to everyone’s liking on the face of it, but a new exhibition on the history of wallpaper which begins at Temple Newsam House next week is sure to make visitors change their mind.
Starting on Wednesday 2nd December, a range of rare intricate, colourful and eye-catching designs will be on display to help show how wallpaper design has changed from its origins in the 17th century to the present day.
The exhibition entitled ‘Wonderwall: 300 years of wallpaper’ explores the history and craft of how wallpaper has been produced over time, using examples from the collection of renowned antique dealer Roger Warner, whose grandfather Metford Warner owned the wallpaper manufacturing company Jeffrey and Co of London.
Jeffrey and Co had a unique approach to manufacture believing in the power of design above all else to set them apart from their competitors. As a consequence by the late 1800s they employed some of the leading artists and designers of the day to produce wallpaper designs for them, such as CFA Voysey, Owen Jones and Lewis F Day. Their collaboration with the book illustrator Walter Crane was particularly successful and some of his most famous designs form part of the exhibition.
The changing tastes and fashions can also be seen in a series of gaudy and spectacular designs from Horace Warner which reflect the eclectic tastes of the late 1920s. The exhibition also includes some of the earliest pieces of wallpaper, including hand-tooled leather hangings and early printed papers used for lining boxes from the 1600s.
Accompanying the exhibition is a new piece of commissioned work by artist Catherine Bertola, which is inspired by Temple Newsam House and has been specially produced from dust particles.
Leeds City Council executive member for Leisure Councillor John Procter said:
“People may not have thought about looking at wallpaper as art before, but this exhibition at Temple Newsam House may well surprise you as some of the designs on show are hugely impressive and have clearly been beautifully created.
“Rather than the basic types of wallpaper we see today, some of the designs in the past were more works of art than merely something to put on a wall. I’m sure visitors to the exhibition will be amazed when they see the designs.”
The exhibition has received generous support from Arts Council England, The Kenneth Hargeaves Trust, the Leeds Art Collections Fund and Sandersons Wallpapers UK.
‘Wonderwall: 300 years of wallpaper’ is free on general admission to Temple Newsam House. Admission is priced at adults £3.43, child £2.44, family ticket £8.81. LeedsCard holders free. Visit www.leeds.gov.uk/templenewsamhouse for further details.
ENDS
For media enquiries please contact:
Roger Boyde,
Learning and Leisure Media Relations Officer,
Tel 0113 247 5472
Email: roger.boyde@leeds.gov.uk
Notes to Editors:
Exhibition Curator:
Polly Putnam, Temple Newsam House, Leeds LS15 OAE Polly.putnam@leeds.gov.uk, 0113 264 7321
Temple Newsam House:
Temple Newsam Road, Halton, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS15 0AE.
Opening Times:
Winter: (until 29 Mar) Tues-Sun, 10.30am-4pm.
Summer: (30 Mar-26 Oct) Tues-Sun, 10.30am - 5pm.
Last admission 45 minutes before closing. Closed Mondays, except bank holidays.
www.leeds.gov.uk/templenewsamhouse
Temple Newsam is one of the country's great historic houses and estates. Situated in 1500 acres of stunning "capability brown" parkland it is home to outstanding and nationally designated collections of painting, furniture, textiles, silver and ceramics. It has an ever-changing programme of exhibitions and events.
Exhibition Special Events Programme to accompany the show available.
For further information about Temple Newsam visit www.leeds.gov.uk/templenewsamhouse
