The William Morris Family Album continues Yinka Shonibare’s exploration of the Victorian era and the attendant imperialism of that time. His trademark fabrics, now regularly used in fashion by, amongst others, Samson Soboye, are made into clothing of that period and used in reconstructions with local Walthamstow residents of photographs from the Morris family album.
The garments weren’t outright copies from the photographs but captured the period in the same way that the participants photographed reflect the current demographic of the area.
I recommend visiting the museum, even if you have no interest in William Morris as, apart from giving context to the Arts & Crafts movement, the building is a fine one in generous parkland and only 10 minutes from the end of the Victoria line.
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