Exhibitions Huon Mallalieu
GRAYSON PERRY: THE MOST POPULAR ART EXHIBITION EVER
Arnolfini, Bristol, to 24th December
By coincidence this month, we have one exhibition at the Arnolfini Gallery, and another focused on the ‘Arnolfini Portrait’.
In the first, Grayson Perry, who is one of our most perceptive social and cultural critics, tackles one of his primary concerns: how contemporary art can best address a diverse cross-section of society.
Already seen at the Serpentine in London, the exhibition is inspired by Perry’s irreverent take on contemporary culture.
Perry draws on his childhood and life as a cross-dresser, as well as wider social issues and his abiding interest in his audience. The works in the exhibition examine masculinity, class, politics, sex, religion, popularity and art, as well as contemporary issues such as Brexit and ‘Divided Britain’. He has said, ‘I am in the communication business and I want to communicate to as wide an audience as possible. Nothing pleases me more than meeting someone at one of my exhibitions from what museum people call “a non-traditional background”.’
His coil-built pots, prints and tapestries (actually embroideries) are traditional in technique and, in fact, also in message and subject matter. His ancestor as a social commentator is Hogarth.
The exhibition presents more than twenty-five of Perry’s latest works, including ‘Matching Pair’ – created after he invited the public, through social media, to contribute ideas, images and phrases that were then used to cover two enormous pots: one for Remainers and one for Brexiters.