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.
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.
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.
Continuation of the anniversary exhibitions: In 2026, Georg Brandner will celebrate his 70th birthday and his 50th anniversary as a freelance artist. He is presenting his works in various Austrian cities, with the next stop being Wolfsberg: On June 30 at 6:30 p.m., the exhibition Georg Brandner – 70 Years of Art will open at Galerie Atelier Berndt.
An exhibition on the conservation and restoration of unusual materials in works of art: On June 27, the Stedelijk Museum voor Actuele Kunst in Ghent will open the exhibition Joseph Beuys | Wirtschaftswerte: a conservation history, centered on Beuys’s renowned work.
