The Man Who Painted His House
On 20th May, All Saints’ Church in Cambridge will host a special screening of The Man Who Painted His House, a new short film that offers a powerful tribute to the life and work of David Parr, a working-class Victorian decorative artist.
Film still: Mr and Mrs Parr. Courtesy of Victoria Mills Birkbeck.
Researched and produced by Dr Victoria Mills and directed by Lily Ford, the film draws upon the collections and archives of the David Parr House to reveal the astonishing story of a man who transformed his modest home into a richly patterned Arts & Crafts masterpiece.
Master Bedroom View. Credit: Lucinda Douglas Menzies.
Parr was born in Cambridge and trained with F. R. Leach & Sons, a local decorating firm that worked with some of the leading figures of the Arts & Crafts movement, including William Morris. Outside of work, Parr dedicated four decades to painstakingly decorating every surface of his terraced home with intricate motifs inspired by the very artists he assisted. The result is a unique expression of personal craftsmanship, devotion, and artistry - one that remained hidden from public view until the house was rediscovered and turned into a museum in 2014.
Dining Room View. Credit: Lucinda Douglas Menzies.
The film is part of Dr Mills’ British Academy-funded research into the overlooked contributions of working-class artists in the Arts & Crafts movement. Through evocative cinematography, archival materials, and intimate observations of the house today, the film challenges traditional narratives that focus solely on elite designers, foregrounding instead the creative labour and legacy of the Victorian ‘art-workman’.
Window Drawing Room. Credit: Lois Maher.
Adding to the immersive experience, the screening will feature a live performance of a contemporary classical score for viola and piano by composer Richard Uttley. Inspired by the aesthetics and musical influences of the Arts & Crafts period, the composition mirrors the textures and themes of Parr’s story, enriching the film’s emotional resonance.
This collaborative project, developed with Birkbeck’s Centre for Nineteenth-Century Studies, The Derek Jarman Lab, and the David Parr House, invites viewers to reconsider how art, labour, and class intersect in the material culture of the 19th century.
Further Information:
The screening will take place at 7:30pm on 20th May at All Saints’ Church, Cambridge - a building Parr himself helped decorate.
Tickets are available here: davidparrhouse.org.
Image Credits:
Lead Image: Piano, Drawing Room View. Credit: Lucinda Douglas Menzies.
All other images as credited in photo captions.