William Morris Gallery shows works by Althea McNish

Retrospective of an innovative textile artist

William Morris Gallery in London opens a groundbreaking retrospective of Althea McNish on April 2. The exhibition, titled Althea McNish: Colour is Mine, presents work by the textile designer, who is considered one of the most innovative in the UK, and explores her artistic influence - then and now - alongside her extraordinary career.

April 01, 2022
Althea McNish in her studio, c.1970, shown wearing a shirt made of Bezique
Image: Bill Patterson; Courtesy N15 ARCHIVE. The Althea McNish Collection
Althea McNish in her studio, c.1970. Note: shown wearing a shirt made of Bezique, designed by Althea for Liberty in 1958 and lengths of Hibiscus, Liberty, 1959.

With Althea McNish: Colour is Mine, the William Morris Gallery in London presents a groundbreaking retrospective of one of Britain's most innovative textile artists, who is also considered the first designer of Caribbean descent to achieve international recognition. From April 2 to September 11, 2022, the exhibition explores Althea McNish's (1924-2020) extraordinary career, her transformative influence on mid-century design to the present day. McNish became known for her painterly designs incorporating natural botanical forms from Britain and the Caribbean. Contrary to the rigid rules of mid-20th century British textile design, McNish used a vibrant color palette. Her technical savvy enabled her to create increasingly complex prints over time.

Golden Harvest, screen printed cotton, designed by  Althea McNish for Hull Traders, c.1960s
Image: Private Collection
Golden Harvest, screen printed cotton, designed by Althea McNish for Hull Traders, c.1960s

British textile designer Althea McNish was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, on May 15, 1924, and moved to Britain in 1950. There she completed postgraduate textile studies at the Royal College of Art and subsequently made a name for herself as a black designer. She designed best-selling upholstery and fashion fabrics for well-known companies such as Liberty, Dior, Heal's and Hull Traders - including her most famous pattern, Golden Harvest (1959). Later in her career, McNish took on major interior design projects and commissions for murals around the world. She also designed wallpaper for leading companies.Art.Salon

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