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
10 comments:
I find both he and his wife interesting characters.
I like him. Fellow blogger Becky and I went to a superb exhibition of his work in Edinburgh a couple of years ago.
@ Janice - that's great to know ... and yes both Grayson and his wife, Philippa, are so talented.
@ Anabel - I've linked across to the exhibition that I think you and Becky went to see ... it's got a bit more information on his development as an artist ...
Cheers to you both - lovely to see you here - Hilary
What an interesting artist.
Hari OM
The COVID art club was such a joyful thing... I have great admiration for both Grayson and Phillipa, although I do not necessary like the end result of his artwork, I do love his thought processes and interpretations. YAM xx
@ Liz - yes ... he's had such an interesting career ...
@ Yam - I only watched a few of the COVID art club but he and his wife were so effeverscent during the selection process. I agree with your thought re his thought processes and interpretations ... I probably should have spent longer looking at the works - but was so pleased Sue and I went along ...
Cheers to the two of you - Hilary
He seems like an eminently interesting fellow, Hilary, and it seems entirely fitting that he should be called Grayson and his wife Philippa. Much better than Bill and Agnes don’t you think. I would be happy to own some of his work which I find very appealing, but whether I like it or not misses the point entirely. I am left with a deep admiration for his innovative spirit and the manner in which he used COVID to draw people together. He can come to my house for dinner any time he wants. Philippa too! Hugs - David
Wow. It's hard for me to compute tapestries with 3D art and computers, but fascinating. Have a grand weekend, Hils.
Normally I think of ceramics as very functional pieces of home objects, often decorated with simple patterns and modest colours. But the three Perry pots look like canvases that would normally hang on the walls. "Cocktail Party" in particular, is very clever
@ David - great ... yes though I rather like Bill and Agnes as names - but not for Grayson and Philippa. He certainly has always been determined to follow his passion ... while being extremely talented - wonderful to see and understand more. His art club during Covid caught the people's imagination and helped many have different thought processes ... giving them an outlet.
I'm sure they'd both love to come over to dinner ... and I hope I'll be able to accompany them and join you!
@ Sandra - I was shocked at the talent needed to craft the tapestries ... I too could not even think about computing them in 3D art and computers - beyond my mind's pale!!
@ Hels - his works are quite exceptional ... and I had to show the cocktail party ... with the curators explanation ...
Cheer and thanks for being here - Hilary
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