I had the very best of intentions to write a long and detailed post about Grayson Perry’s My Pretty Little Art Career exhibition, currently showing at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Circular Quay.
Then I changed my mind.
It’s not possible to do Mr Perry justice in a blog post – you really need to get in and experience the sheer size and majesty and complexity and irreverence of the collection for yourself.
So instead, let me offer you just a few teaser snippets. If you’re in Sydney, make sure to get there before the exhibition closes on the 1st May. If you time it right, you’ll be able to visit the Biennale Embassy of Translation as well!
This is one of my favourite pieces, the artist’s own robe. There’s some gloriously intricate needlework involved…
Grayson Perry works in a wide range of mediums – ceramics (which appear to be his greatest love), textiles, wood and metal. This piece – Head of a Fallen Giant (2008) – is one of the few he’s made in bronze…
Most of the paper and textile artworks are so large that they can’t be captured in a single frame. They also tend to be intricately detailed, inviting careful examination and consideration. Many are cheeky and quite pointed in the message they’re conveying (do you like where “shopping” lives?)…
In the introductory video, Grayson refers to himself as “a car crash of cultural influences”. Nowhere is this more evident than in his ceramic pieces, like this traditionally shaped Chinese style urn, adorned with skateboarders…
The scale of his tapestry pieces is amazing – each is carefully designed and plotted out by the artist, then commercially woven under his supervision…
Lots to giggle about in this very British piece…
There are a couple of the artist’s drawing books on display. It’s intriguing to think that this sketch…
…became a giant detailed fabric piece that was too wide to photograph in its entirety…
Finally, a small section of Print for a Politician – the completed colour etching is about six times larger than the photo below…
. . . . .
If you get a chance, I’d highly recommend popping in to view the exhibition. It’s a paid show ($20/head, or free to MCA members) and well worth the entry fee. Just make sure you allow at least a couple of hours to take it all in!
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
This exhibition was one of the highlights of my recent visit to Sydney. Words fail me to even attempt to describe it; you’ve done a great job here Celia.
I’ve always loved Grayson Perry’s artworks so I’m going to catch exhibits from the biennale and his exhibit in the next two weeks
Very interesting. Thanks for sharing! :)
I have to admit to being an ignoramus as far as Grayson Perry is concerned. My initial feeling ‘not quite for me’ has changed to fascination as far as the multiple facets of his work go. Love the artist’s robe and would probably need quite a time to work out the feeling-world of the last two pictures. The Chinese urn seems ‘out of place’ yet, looking at the pics, quite a few are on show. Hmm: thanks heaps – whole of April to go and the Biennale also beckons!!
Wow, just wow.
I agree with you – such a breath taking exhibition. I really didn’t know much about Grayson Perry when I went to see the exhibition whilst in Sydney in January and was totally blown away. Thanks for sharing – the photos are wonderful.
Did you know that everybody who hails from Essex is as talented as the wonderful Mr Perry? If only :( . I always find it fascinating to see the original sketchbook and how the project evolves into something wondrous. It looks an excellent exhibition.
Wow! Thanks for sharing. I will be on the lookout for him should he come to the North East in the United States.
I think it is too easy to be put off by the man himself (or his dress sense) but the work is exceptional. I will be looking out for a similar exhibition in the UK.
Hehehe..I think his dress sense is amazing! I wish mine was as elegant! :)
Great post!I’m a great fan of Grayson Perry & was lucky to see his exhibition last year at Tate Britain in London. I have also tried to stay in his House for Essex, featured in a Channel 4 (UK) series. It can be rented but you have to apply by ballot, it is so popular, and I have not been successful so far.
Huge fan of GP and would love to see this. His Reith lectures from a year or two ago are well worth listening to. Love how we are on the same page here Celia.
Ooh very much the sort of exhibition I’d enjoy. And how wonderful that you were allowed to take photos to share with us! Loved this ☺
[…] they were so local. I am not terribly familiar with his work, but I did see a post that Celia of Fig Jam and Lime Cordial did a while back and I saw things that I really liked. I know not everyone would, but I do think […]