Penny Lecture: Tapestry at Work with William Jefferies

Join us at Morley Gallery for a special illustrated talk by artist and master weaver William Jefferies, exploring the fascinating history and function of tapestry in architecture and interiors. Jefferies will examine how tapestry has long been used to project status or antiquity, evoke domestic warmth, communicate corporate or moral symbolism, impart religious or moral teachings—or even create dramatic atmosphere in boardrooms and foyers.

This lecture runs alongside “A Life in Tapestry,” the first retrospective exhibition of Jefferies’ woven work, on show at Morley Gallery from 20 January to 7 February 2026. The exhibition offers a unique insight into over five decades of Jefferies’ creative evolution: his distinctive visual language, his virtuosic exploration of material and woven surface, and many seldom-shown pieces.

As with all Penny Lectures, the event is free and open to all — a continuation of Morley College London’s long tradition of making art, craft and learning accessible to the community.

Whether you come as a curious member of the public, a student of textiles, or a lover of architecture and design — this lecture promises to deepen your appreciation of tapestry not just as decoration, but as a powerful medium for storytelling, ambience and identity.