Sir Grayson Perry, to give him his due, is an English artist known for his ceramic vases, tapestries and cross-dressing, as well as his observations on the contemporary arts scene, and for dissecting British “prejudices, fashions and foibles”.
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Julie Cope tapestry |
The Julie Cope tapestries were created for 'A House in Essex'. Julie is a fictional Essex woman. Two tapestries were completed for a commission for the charity "Living Architecture", they are held by the Crafts Council.
The visual story was created on a computer when working closely with a digital mediator as well as tapestry weavers, translated the work into a 3D woven textile. Like an impressionist painting, the palette is created by individual stitches of different colours sitting side-by-side then blending in the viewer's vision.
During Covid, he and his wife, Philippa, held a lockdown art club, when he selected and collated art from everyday people, fellow artists and celebrities, based on themes occurring during the pandemic … one advantage of being able to collaborate over zoom …
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Ye Olde English Pot |
In this exhibition at the Charleston centre in Lewes there were over 30 of Perry's own works exploring stories of the home … from textiles and pots to ceramic tiles and woodcuts …
His most recent works in this exhibition explore themes of national identity. Ye Olde English Pot is presented in the form of a medieval beer flagon. Decorated with traditional slipware techniques, it references the polarising effect of the internet debate, while also invoking heraldic iconography.
… he also works in printmaking, drawing, embroidery and other textile work, film and performance … a talented artist …
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A Map of Days |
'A Temple for Everyone' exhibition ties in with the Bloomsbury artists Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant, who had transformed their home at Charleston Farmhouse, in the 1920/1930s, into a canvas and sanctuary for their ideas …
You won't be able to see the detail in this map portraying 'a fortified town'... but Perry has a longstanding fascination with maps. Using the language of map making and historic cartographic techniques, Perry plays with the medium and uses it as a container for ideas. We can trace people, dreams, ideas and identity through these works which resemble literal mind maps, displaying ideas and their interconnections with one another in great detail.
… similarly here Perry reimagines society through art, capturing the essence of contemporary life in his work … asking us to consider where we're at in life …
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Plague Cat |
During Covid he and his wife went through a walk around the deserted streets of London ... passing by Samuel Johnson's house, where the sculpture of his cat 'Hodge' resides. Cats came to the fore ... here he's used the medium of an Islamic Incense burner ... and added pustules and boils ... to make it more decorative?!
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Cocktail Party |
This vase is an early ceramic work (1989), featuring women awkwardly engaged at a cocktail party. Illustrated are Laura Ashley-style dresses, a Chanel suit, Madonna's bustier. The vase offers a playful critique of high-class 1980s fashion, high society, and art world trends. It also echoes themes found in Virginia Woolf's fourth novel, Mrs Dalloway, which highlights the tension between the polished public persona we present to the world and the private inner life that lies beneath.
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Grayson Perry Trophy - awarded to a person with good taste |
The exhibits have made me think … and I'm more open to contemporary art … live and learn, I guess. Charleston's season of exhibitions at the Farmhouse will continue to explore the intersections between art and home … which I sadly will not get to …
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This is the House of Essex built for the Living Architecture charity ... it does look really fun to look around - one day perhaps I'll get there.
Grayson Perry - Wiki link ...
"House for Essex" wiki link ...
Living Architecture link ...
So - after all the above ... I hope you've been able to find your way round the information provided - I wasn't sure what to do ... as he's a complex, thought provoking character ... I was pleased I was able to visit the exhibition.
Here's another link to an exhibition in Edinburgh in 2023 - per Anabel's comment below ... it gives a little more explanation on Perry's career ...
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories