Morris & Co | An Adelaide Obsession

Carrick Hill delves into South Australia’s fascination with iconic design company Morris & Co. in a new exhibition, Morris & Co | An Adelaide Obsession. Running from March 26 to June 29, 2025, the exhibition celebrates the enduring legacy of William Morris and his company’s impact on SA.

Known for their commitment to handcrafted design, Morris & Co.’s work resonated deeply with Adelaideans in the 1880s, largely thanks to the Barr-Smith family. The exhibition highlights the family’s significant role in collecting and commissioning Morris & Co. pieces, transforming the aesthetic of Adelaide’s homes, clubs, churches, and even influencing the Adelaide School of Art.

Carrick Hill director, Susan McCormack, says the exhibition “provides a rare opportunity to explore the intimate relationship between Morris & Co. and Adelaide’s most influential collectors”.

Alongside an extensive collection of works from the Art Gallery of South Australia and Carrick Hill’s own archives, the exhibition also features rarely seen pieces from private collections. It offers a unique glimpse into the lives of influential women like May Morris, whose contributions to the Arts and Crafts movement often went unacknowledged.

Carrick Hill curator, Dr Ellen Whitton says that the exhibition “highlights women’s powerful role in shaping Adelaide’s artistic heritage”. The exhibition is part of the History Festival and will feature events including talks, printmaking workshops, and embroidery masterclasses.

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