Delusions of Grandeur - Grayson Perry at The Wallace Collection

I Know Who I Am

Detail of a ceramic

Grayson Perry helped keep me going during lockdown with his Art Club on TV. I produced a piece of art each week, though I never sent it in. It was good fun to take part and actually draw again. But there's nothing like being able to view art in person. Photos never do a work justice.

This exhibition in the very grand house of the Wallace Collection, seems at odds with the rest of the house (I shall write about the Wallace Collection separately in my next blog). As always, Grayson Perry surprises with the depth and range of his work and colour always features highly. I was very tempted to buy the catalogue. It is set out in the form of a scrapbook as he put the collection together, but I have so little space for such things these days.

Here you can find ceramics, tapestries, paintings and even furniture. I love the fact that Perry invents characters and makes a life for them through art, often plotting a timeline. He is a wonderful storyteller. Do read this from the website. There is also a video to watch.

When I first began delving into art appreciation, I didn't really know what I liked, but as the years of gallery visiting has gone on, I now know that I am drawn to modern/contemporary art and I will sometimes seek out work by artists I've never heard of just to explore new experiences. Of older art, I am drawn to the Arts & Craft Movement, war art, and certain schools of art over a period of time. However, I find Grayson Perry's art fun, uplifting and clever. He's such a contrast to another artist whose work I love, Anselm Keefer, whose work is very dark. They both have their pull for me. However, you can never leave an exhibition of Grayson Perry's feeling low, despite some of his themes. He is the sunshine artist for me.

The exhibition is on until 26th October, so plenty of time to view it.