The Princess of Wales has celebrated the power of "historic objects" to inspire modern creativity as her personally curated exhibition opens to the public. Kate highlighted how "unique" items can help people explore the "role we play in the wider tapestry of life" as her collection went on display at the new V&A East Storehouse.
The princess selected an eclectic mix of treasures from the V&A's vast collection, including a watercolour painting of a forest glade by children's author Beatrix Potter. Her choices also feature a medieval Somerset church tile and a Welsh quilt handmade almost 200 years ago.
Kate's vision for creative inspiration
In a personal message displayed alongside her Makers and Creators exhibition, Kate wrote: "Objects can tell a story. A collection of objects can create a narrative, both about our past and as inspiration for the future." She emphasised how the display "celebrates our past makers and creators and illustrates how much historic objects can influence fashion, design, film, art and creativity today".
The princess added that "individual, unique objects can come together to create a collective whole that helps us to explore our social and cultural experiences". Among the standout pieces is a costume by Oliver Messel, one of Britain's foremost stage designers, created for the Fairy of the Woodland Glade worn by Diana Vere in the Royal Ballet's 1960 production of The Sleeping Beauty.
Treasures spanning centuries and cultures
The mini-exhibition also showcases a Victorian Morris & Co furnishing screen designed by William Morris's assistant John Henry Dearle. A George Henry Boughton oil painting called A Woman Holding a Mirror and a Rose adds to the diverse collection.
International pieces include a Chinese blue and white Qing dynasty porcelain vase from the mid 17th to early 18th century. More personal items feature a sculpture by Clemence Dane of her hands and a childhood photograph album belonging to Beatrix Potter's father Rupert Potter.
V&A's innovative storage system
Kate, who serves as the V&A's patron, selected the items during a June visit to the East Storehouse in Stratford, east London. She learned about the depository's innovative "order an object" system, where members of the public can request paintings, furniture, books and sculptures for personal viewing.
Her Makers and Creators exhibition represents one of more than 100 changing mini displays positioned at the ends of storage racking throughout the storehouse. The facility houses more than 500,000 creative works, from individual items to complete collections like the Glastonbury festival archive, representing the majority of the V&A's collection.
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
