Princess of Wales shows off love of art as she visits culture centre

by · Mail Online

The Princess of Wales showed off her love of art as she paid a visit to a culture centre in Winchester. 

Kate, who studied Art History at St Andrews, called The Beauty of Earth exhibition celebrating the legacy of the Morris family 'inspiring'. 

She wrote on Instagram: 'My thanks to the team at The Arc in Winchester. 

'It was inspiring to see how they have placed creativity at the heart of the community and made art widely accessible.

'The Beauty of The Earth exhibition was a powerful reminder of the connection between nature, creativity and craft.' Kate signed off personally: 'C'. 

The exhibition, now sold out, ran from November 15 until February 4 and was guest curated by Suzanne Fagence Cooper, a specialist in 19th and 20th century art and design. 

It showcased the work of the Morris family and their appreciation of nature, shown through their homes which were transformed into 'creative and pleasurable spaces'. 

The exhibition states: 'From embroidery to wallpaper, decorated books to oil paintings, the exhibition gathers works from the earliest days of Jane and William’s marriage. 

Kate eagerly discussed the artwork as she explored the Morris exhibition in Winchester
Kate wrote: 'The Beauty of The Earth exhibition was a powerful reminder of the connection between nature, creativity and craft'
Kate thanked The Arc centre for their 'inspiring' creativity after her visit to the Morris family exhibition
The cultural hub responded that it was an 'honour' to have been visited by the Princess 

'It will also feature works by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Edward Burne-Jones and John Ruskin, as well as designs by May Morris which are on public display for the first time. 

'Together, these will show how the visionary art of the Morris family can still encourage us to ‘love the narrow spot that surrounds our daily life’.

It also featured a sound piece recorded in the countryside at the Morris family's summer house in Oxfordshire.  

The Duchess, 44, was dressed stylishly in a camel coat and orange scarf with a fitted turtle neck jumper on the visit to Winchester's Arc Centre, a hub for the city set in an iconic Grade II listed building. 

The centre, established as a charity in 2014, contains Winchester Library and hosts live performances, classes and talks, as well as art exhibitions.  

They responded to the Princess: 'We were honoured to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales to Beauty of the Earth: The Art of May, Jane & William Morris at The Arc, Winchester. 

'This exhibition celebrates the enduring legacy of the Morris family, highlighting the artistic contributions of May and Jane Morris alongside William Morris. 

'We are proud to see this important exhibition recognised in this way.'

Last year, art-fan Kate unveiled her own exhibition at the V&A, an arts organisation of which she is a patron  
Pictured: The Princess of Wales being shown around the V&A East Storehouse, a cultural destination in east London, by the director of the V&A, Tristram Hunt

The Princess of Wales has long been a supporter of the arts, having studied it at university and since becoming a patron of many arts-based charities. 

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Kate unveils her own artwork display at the V&A storehouse in London

Last year, she unveiled her own art exhibition at the V&A in London.

Kate, who is Royal Patron of the V&A, personally worked with the museum's curatorial team to select eight significant works from across its large collection for her 'Makers and Creators' exhibition.

Her chosen objects included a watercolour study of a forest glade by children's author Beatrix Potter, a 15th century earthenware tile and a furnishing screen designed by William Morris's assistant, J H Dearle in the mid-1880s. 

They also include Oliver Messel's costume for the Fairy of the Woodland Glades, worn by Diana Vere in The Royal Ballet's 1960 production of The Sleeping Beauty.