Radical Landscapes is an exhibition that explores the natural world as a space for artistic inspiration, social connection, and political and cultural protest through the lens of William Morris, one of Britain’s earliest and most influential environmental thinkers. Organised in collaboration with Tate Liverpool, the exhibition displays work spanning two centuries and features more than 60 works by artists including JMW Turner, Claude Cahun, Hurvin Anderson, Derek Jarman, Jeremy Deller and Veronica Ryan.

Delving into ideas of freedom, exploitation and trespass, the exhibition reflects on how British landscapes have been read, accessed and used across social, class and racial lines, as well as the current global climate emergency, starting from Morris’ own relationship to and love for the land. Through the works on display and an expansive public programme, visitors are encouraged to engage with the Gallery’s surrounding borough of Waltham Forest, once a rural outpost and now an urban London borough, where Morris was born and which shaped his environmental and political views.

Organised in collaboration with local artists, campaigners, foodbanks and allotments, the public programme will run alongside the exhibition, and expand beyond the Gallery’s walls into the wetlands, forests and green spaces of Waltham Forest. The programme will invite participants to reassess their relationship with local landscapes and respond to the climate crisis. Read more about the programme.

Radical Landscapes is organised in collaboration with Tate Liverpool, where a first version of the exhibition was shown from 5 May to 4 September 2022.

The exhibition is curated by Darren Pih, Chief Curator and Artistic Director, Harewood House; Laura Bruni, Curator of Exhibitions, Henry Moore Foundation; Matthew Watts, Assistant Curator, Tate; Hadrian Garrard, Director, William Morris Gallery; and Rowan Bain, Principal Curator, William Morris Gallery.

Image: Helen and her Hula-hoop, Seacoal Camp, Lynemouth, Northumberland 1984 © Chris Killip Photography Trust/Magnum Photos. Courtesy Martin Parr Foundation.

Read the full press release here.

Radical Landscapes: Sonic Documentation 

Based on ideas of creative accessibility, our online sonic documentation is a way for people to access a sample of our wider programming online, for anyone who was not able to attend. Focused on themes of connection to nature, biodiversity, and the importance of learning through trying new things.

Created by Sarah Brundson & Eric King. With special thanks to: Jan Ackenhausen, Area Regeneration Project Manager for Waltham Forest Council, Michaela Davis and her cyanotype animation film ‘Great Sale Wood’, Kelly Frank and her Mindful Mapping art, OrganicLea and their ESOL courses, and Stories and Supper, our community residency group.

Radical Landscapes: Soundscape

Visitors to Radical Landscapes can experience an ambient soundscape recorded and produced by Eric King to accompany the News From Nowhere installation, which forms part of the exhibition.

The field recording was made at noon, on the summer solstice in 2023 at the nearest part of Epping Forest to Morris’s childhood home, Woodford Hall.

Hear the soundscape here:

Radical Landscapes playlist

A ramble through music and the British countryside to enjoy at home, at the Gallery or in the great outdoors. Curated by Eric King as part of the Radical Landscapes exhibition.

Listen on Spotify  Or scan the code below using the Spotify app: