The Walthamstow Tapestry explores the emotional resonance of brand names in our lives and our quasi-religious relationship to consumerism. Charting man's passage from birth to death, the tapestry is peppered with leading brands encountered along the way. Stripped of their logos and thus much of their identity, the names run alongside - often incongruous - depictions of people going about their everyday lives: walking the dog, nursing children, skateboarding, hoovering, and, of course, shopping. Perry is a great chronicler of contemporary life, in whose work sentiment and nostalgia sit subversively alongside fear and anger. In The Walthamstow Tapestry many of the world's leading names, from luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton and Tiffany to high street giants such as Marks and Spencer and IKEA, come under Perry's excoriating gaze in this cautionary and prophetic tale of modern day life. Inspired by antique batik fabrics from Malaysia as well as eastern European folk art this vast work provides a colourful, rich and complex visual journey across our contemporary landscape.
Grayson Perry by Jacky Klein will be published by Thames & Hudson on 5th October 2009, £35.00.
The Walthamstow Tapestry is published by The Paragon Press
Related
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Exhibition
Posted
September 20 2024
The Wallace Collection announces a major exhibition by Grayson Perry as part of its 2025 programme
On view 28 March–26 October 2025, to mark his 65th birthday, Perry will create and curate a new exhibition at the Wallace Collection, a museum that has inspired him throughout his life. The Wallace Collection, London -
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Exhibition
Posted
September 17 2024
Grayson Perry: A Temple for Everyone, opening at Charleston in Lewes
Featuring textiles, ceramics and woodcuts, the exhibition (25 September 2024–2 March 2025) tells stories of home, asking questions about how those stories shape who we are. Charleston in Lewes -
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Review
Posted
September 4 2023
The Art Newspaper reviews Grayson Perry: Smash Hits
★★★★ ‘Perry’s ceramics, sculptures, prints and large-scale tapestries could have been made for this space.’ Susan Mansfield, The Art Newspaper -
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Review
Posted
August 1 2023
Grayson Perry: Smash Hits is reviewed by The Times
★★★★ ‘He’s our Hogarth: satire, taste, a gift for telling detail.’ – Laura Freeman -
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Review
Posted
July 24 2023
The Scotsman reviews Grayson Perry: Smash Hits
★★★★★ ‘The invention is astonishing.‘ – Duncan Macmillan Duncan Macmillan, The Scotsman -
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Exhibition
Posted
July 22 2023
On view in Edinburgh – Grayson Perry: Smash Hits
Held at the Royal Scottish Academy, the exhibition (22 July–12 November 2023) will encompass more than 80 works from across his career. -
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Exhibition
Posted
November 9 2022
Grayson Perry: Fitting In and Standing Out at The National Museum, Oslo
The exhibition (11 November 2022–26 March 2023) includes ceramics, sculptures in wood and metal, prints, monumental tapestries and embroideries. Oslo, Norway -
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Exhibition
Posted
October 25 2022
Now open at the Hayward Gallery – Strange Clay: Ceramics in Contemporary Art, featuring Grayson Perry
The first large-scale group exhibition (26 October 2022–8 January 2023) in the UK exploring how contemporary artists have used clay in unexpected ways, Strange Clay: Ceramics in Contemporary Art features 23 international artists working across recent decades and examines the plasticity and the possibilities of ceramics. Hayward Gallery, London -
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Exhibition
Posted
June 16 2022
Grayson Perry: The Vanity of Small Differences at Salisbury Cathedral
Inspired by Hogarth’s morality tale, A Rake’s Progress, Perry’s tapestries (on display in Salisbury from 29 June 2022) follow the socially-mobile life of fictional character Tim Rakewell from infancy to untimely death. Salisbury Cathedral -
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Edition
Posted
March 18 2022
England as seen from Lockdown in Islington – a new printed textile edition by Grayson Perry
Now available to purchase, this textile work, created as part of the artist’s acclaimed series Grayson’s Art Club, takes the form of an intricate map. Perry says, ‘When I was working on this, I was thinking about how we were all travelling in our imaginations…’ -
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Exhibition
Posted
November 23 2021
Grayson Perry: We Shall Catch it on the Beaches at Bonnefantenmuseum, Maastricht
On view until 20 March 2022, the exhibition features works from the collection along with new works by the artist. Bonnefantenmuseum, Maastricht -
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Exhibition
Posted
September 19 2021
Grayson Perry: The Pre-Therapy Years at Sainsbury Centre
The touring exhibition (19 September 2021–30 January 2022) developed by the Holburne Museum in Bath, is the first to celebrate Grayson Perry’s earliest forays into the art world and re-introduces the works he made between 1982 and 1994. University of East Anglia, Norwich -
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Exhibition
Posted
May 28 2021
Grayson Perry: The Pre-Therapy Years at York Art Gallery
The touring exhibition (28 May–5 September 2021) developed by the Holburne Museum in Bath, is the first to celebrate Grayson Perry’s earliest forays into the art world and re-introduces the works he made between 1982 and 1994. York Art Gallery -
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Exhibition
Posted
August 25 2020
Grayson Perry’s The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman goes on display at the British Museum
The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman, an elaborate, richly decorated cast-iron coffin-ship, will be displayed alongside the striking 2,400-year-old Nereid Monument from 27 August 2020. British Museum, London -
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Interview
Posted
May 22 2020
Grayson Perry talks to The New York Times
'Art is a process. It’s expressing yourself and doing something, and throwing yourself into it and getting better at it and trying again. That’s what it’s about. And people are responding to that now.' In this interview feature, Perry talks about Grayson's Art Club and subsequent exhibition. Alex Marshall, The New York Times -
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Publication
Posted
May 18 2020
Grayson Perry by Jacky Klein, plus IGTV Q&A
Published by Thames & Hudson, this updated and expanded third edition of the definitive book on the artist launches 21 May 2020. -
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News story
Posted
April 27 2020
Grayson’s Art Club on Channel 4
Launching at 8pm on 27 April 2020, the series will offer master classes, top tips and inspiration. Each episode of Art Club will be themed, and Grayson is asking members of the public to send in artwork responding to each theme. -
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News story
Posted
February 27 2020
Just announced: Grayson Perry is the recipient of the Erasmus Prize 2020
The Praemium Erasmianum Foundation has announced that Grayson Perry is the recipient of the Erasmus Prize 2020. -
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Picture story
Posted
February 18 2020
Grayson Perry: My Life in Six Objects in 1843 Magazine
'Sketch books are the most talismanic objects in my artistic life. I carry them around with me most of the time.' 1843 Magazine -
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Exhibition
Posted
January 31 2020
Grayson Perry features in Utopias at Whitworth Art Gallery
The exhibition (31 January–27 September 2020) crosses genres, media and timeframes to provide a playful and provocative framework for probing how Britain's literary and visual culture has perpetuated an idea of a utopian society that fosters nostalgic yearnings for a seemingly lost past. Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester -
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Exhibition
Posted
January 6 2020
Extended until January 2021 – Grayson Perry: The Pre-Therapy Years at The Holburne Museum, Bath
The exhibition (now extended until 3 January 2021) is the first to survey works made by the artist between 1982 and 1994. These ground-breaking ‘lost’ pots have been reunited for the first time to focus on the formative years of one of Britain’s most recognisable artists. The Holburne Museum, Bath -
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Interview
Posted
October 23 2019
Grayson Perry talks to Christiane Amanpour on CNN
'I want people to acknowledge that we're complicated,' the artist tells Christiane Amanpour as they tour Super Rich Interior Decoration at VM Mayfair. Christiane Amanpour, Amanpour on CNN -
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Interview
Posted
September 26 2019
ES Magazine’s Art Edition features a cover story interview with Grayson Perry
The artist talks to Nick Curtis in an interview featuring new portraits shot by Martin Parr. Nick Curtis, ES Magazine -
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Interview
Posted
September 24 2019
Grayson Perry talks to Vogue ahead of his exhibition Super Rich Interior Decoration
As his latest show opens at Victoria Miro in Mayfair, the artist tells Vogue about satirising the art-buying habits of wealthy collectors, his alter ego Claire's evolving style, and "biting the hand that feeds him" with his tongue-in-cheek pottery. Sophie Heawood, Vogue -
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News story
Posted
September 20 2019
Grayson Perry writes in the FT about his new exhibition Super Rich Interior Decoration
'Perhaps unusually for a contemporary artist, I often prioritise how my work might flourish in a domestic setting…' Grayson Perry, The Financial Times -
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Interview
Posted
September 19 2019
Grayson Perry talks to The Times ahead of his new exhibition at Victoria Miro Mayfair
The artist gives Richard Morrison a tour of his new show, Super Rich Interior Decoration. Richard Morrison, The Times -
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Exhibition
Posted
August 19 2019
Pushing Paper: Contemporary Drawing from 1970 to Now featuring Grayson Perry and Stephen Willats at the British Museum
Celebrating the power of contemporary drawing, this display at the British Museum (12 September 2019–12 January 2020) explores how artists have used the medium to examine themes including identity, place and memory. British Museum, London -
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Exhibition
Posted
July 22 2019
Grayson Perry: Julie Cope’s Grand Tour at Dovecot Studios, Edinburgh
The exhibition (25 July–2 November 2019), which is the final stop of Julie Cope’s Grand Tour, includes the complete series of tapestries and a selection of artefacts from A House for Essex. Dovecot Studios, Edinburgh -
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Exhibition
Posted
July 5 2019
Grayson Perry is included in Talking Maps at the Bodleian Libraries, Oxford
The exhibition (5 July 2019–8 March 2020) is a celebration of maps and what they tell us about the places they depict and the people that make and use them. Bodleian Libraries, Oxford -
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News story
Posted
March 29 2019
As reported in the Guardian, the V&A announces its acquisition of Grayson Perry’s Matching Pair
'They did, as I predicted, end up looking quite the same,' Perry said. 'Which is a good result, it shows that we all have much more in common than that which separates us.' Mark Brown, The Guardian -
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Talk
Posted
March 19 2019
Grayson Perry delivers a Sarabande Foundation Inspiration Series talk
A talk by the artist (16 April 2019, 7–9pm) at Sarabande Foundation, the Lee Alexander McQueen Foundation, a non-profit organisation championing young creatives. Sarabande Foundation, London -
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Exhibition
Posted
November 22 2018
Michael Jackson: On the Wall, featuring Isaac Julien and Grayson Perry, travels to the Grand Palais, Paris
Travelling from the National Portrait Gallery, London, the exhibition (23 November 2018–14 February 2019) explores the influence of Michael Jackson on some of the leading names in contemporary art. Grand Palais, Paris -
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Event
Posted
November 1 2018
Grayson Perry artist’s talk at La Monnaie de Paris
In the special talk (Wednesday 21 November 2018; sold out) the artist discusses his life, career and current exhibition Vanité, Identité, Sexualité at La Monnaie de Paris (until 3 February 2019). La Monnaie de Paris -
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Exhibition
Posted
October 19 2018
Grayson Perry: Vanité, Identité, Sexualité at La Monnaie de Paris
The artist's first major solo exhibition (19 October 2018-3 February 2019) in France is divided into ten themed chapters that look at universal topics such as identity, gender, class, religion and sexuality. La Monnaie de Paris -
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Exhibition
Posted
June 16 2018
Stephen Willats and Grayson Perry feature in Do I Have to Draw You a Picture? at Heong Gallery, Cambridge
The exhibition (16 June–7 October 2018) engages with themes of communication, breakdown of communication, and isolation. Heong Gallery, Downing College, University of Cambridge -
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Interview
Posted
June 3 2018
Grayson Perry talks to the Observer about coordinating the 250th Royal Academy Summer Exhibition
'Colour and fun, colour and fun. I’m trying to get everything to zing off each other.' Miranda Sawyer, The Observer -
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Exhibition
Posted
May 5 2018
Grayson Perry – Julie Cope’s Grand Tour: The Story of a Life at Shipley Art Gallery
A Crafts Council touring exhibition (5 May – 28 July 2018) of two large-scale tapestries. Shipley Art Gallery, Gateshead -
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Exhibition
Posted
April 13 2018
Grayson Perry: Folk Wisdom at Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art, Helsinki
The exhibition (13 April – 2 September 2018) is produced in collaboration with La Monnaie de Paris museum, where it will be on view during autumn 2018. Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art, Helsinki -
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Exhibition
Posted
March 20 2018
Grayson Perry in Things of Growing Beauty: British Studio Pottery at the Fitzwilliam Museum
A collaboration with Yale Center for British Art, where it was first displayed, the exhibition (20 March – 17 June 2018) traces the changing nature of British studio pottery through the evolution of specific types of vessel. The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge -
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Exhibition
Posted
February 15 2018
Grayson Perry’s Photo Album, now on view at The Photographers’ Gallery
A small display (23 February – 3 June 2018) of photographs and spreads from one of Perry's early photo albums. The Photographers' Gallery, London -
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Exhibition
Posted
January 15 2018
Grayson Perry: Making Meaning at The Gallery at Windsor, Florida
The first annual exhibition (15 January – 27 April 2018) at Windsor in a three-year collaboration with the Royal Academy of Arts, London. Vero Beach, Florida -
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Exhibition
Posted
November 18 2017
Grayson Perry: The Life of Julie Cope at Firstsite
An exhibition (18 November 2017 – 18 February 2018) of tapestries, woodcuts, ceramics and tiles designed by Perry for A House for Essex. Firstsite, Colchester, Essex -
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Event
Posted
November 1 2017
Grayson Perry delivers the Orwell Lecture in the North
Perry's lecture (15 November 2017, 6.30pm) is an artist’s view on our emotions around politics and identity. The Octagon Centre, University of Sheffield -
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Exhibition
Posted
October 30 2017
Making Himself Claire: Grayson Perry’s Dresses at Walker Art Gallery
Some of Claire’s best-known outfits are featured in this display (4 November 2017 – 4 February 2018), including the Bo Peep dress worn when Perry was awarded the Turner Prize in 2003. Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool -
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Event
Posted
October 26 2017
Grayson Perry: Typical Man in a Dress Part Two at the London Palladium
An intelligent evening (2 November 2017, sold out) of laughs, discussion, insight and costume changes in this one-off show at the London Palladium. London Palladium -
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Exhibition
Posted
October 23 2017
Grayson Perry featured in Age of Terror: Art Since 9/11 at the Imperial War Museum
The UK’s first major exhibition (26 October 2017 - 28 May 2018) of artists’ responses to war and conflict since the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001, Age of Terror: Art Since 9/11 will feature more than 40 British and international artists. Imperial War Museum, London -
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Event
Posted
September 28 2017
Grayson Perry donates a work to Battersea Arts Centre’s Charity Gala auction
A new sculpture by Perry is among the lots to be auctioned on Tuesday 3 October 2017. Battersea Arts Centre, London -
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Exhibition
Posted
September 27 2017
Grayson Perry: The Most Popular Art Exhibition Ever! at Arnolfini, Bristol
On show for the first time outside of London, the exhibition (27 September – 24 December 2017) tackles one of the artist's primary concerns: how contemporary art can best address a diverse cross section of society. Arnolfini, Bristol -
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Exhibition
Posted
September 14 2017
Grayson Perry in Things of Beauty Growing: British Studio Pottery at Yale Center for British Art
The exhibition (14 September – 3 December 2017) tells the story of studio pottery in Britain, from the early twentieth century to the present. Yale Center for British Art, New Haven, CT -
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Event
Posted
July 14 2017
Grayson Perry: The Most Popular Art Exhibition Ever! catalogue signing
On Thursday 20 Jul 2017, 3.30 - 4.30pm, in the Serpentine Pavilion, Grayson Perry will be signing copies of the catalogue for his current Serpentine Galleries exhibition. Serpentine Galleries -
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Event
Posted
July 3 2017
SOLD OUT Grayson Perry artist talk at the Royal Geographical Society
Grayson Perry talks about his work and his current Serpentine Galleries exhibition, The Most Popular Art Exhibition Ever! 7pm, Mon 24 July. Please note: this event is now sold out. Royal Geographical Society, London -
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Interview
Posted
June 26 2017
Grayson Perry talks to The New York Times about his Channel 4 programme and Serpentine Galleries exhibition
"I make the work I like. But a nice spinoff benefit of that is that I bring a kind of audience that isn’t necessarily solely into difficult, conceptualized 21st-century art." Christopher D Shea, The New York Times -
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Publication
Posted
June 22 2017
Just published: Grayson Perry – The Most Popular Art Exhibition Ever!
Published by Particular Books, the accompanying book for Perry's show at the Serpentine Gallery (8 June – 10 September 2017) contains all his latest works. Particular Books -
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Review
Posted
June 11 2017
Grayson Perry: The Most Popular Art Exhibition Ever! reviewed by Waldemar Januszczak in The Sunday Times
"He is a man at the top of his game — and the queen of nimble social observation in his new London show." Waldemar Januszczak, The Sunday Times -
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Review
Posted
June 6 2017
The Evening Standard reviews Grayson Perry: The Most Popular Art Exhibition Ever!
"Funny, witty and visually delightful" – ★★★★★ from Matthew Collings for Grayson Perry's Serpentine show. Matthew Collings, The Evening Standard -
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Review
Posted
June 6 2017
Grayson Perry: The Most Popular Art Exhibition Ever! reviewed by Rachel Campbell-Johnston in The Times
"The Brexit vases are the stars of the artist’s playful new Serpentine show, one of the most accessible exhibitions ever." Rachel Campbell-Johnston, The Times -
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Preview
Posted
May 29 2017
Grayson Perry writes in the Guardian and reveals two new works ahead of his Serpentine Galleries show
"… In the 21st century to call an artist 'popular' still has the lingering echo of a put-down." Grayson Perry, The Guardian -
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Interview
Posted
May 27 2017
Grayson Perry interviewed in The Telegraph
The artist talks to Mick Brown about his 'Brexit tour around Britain'. Photograph: Richard Ansett. Mick Brown, The Telegraph -
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Exhibition
Posted
April 30 2017
Grayson Perry in Ways of Seeing, at Arter Space for Art, Istanbul
Taking its cue from Ways of Seeing, John Berger's 1972 critical text on visual culture, this exhibition (2 June - 13 August 2017) explores the various formalistic strategies that artists employ to re-configure our perception of the world. Arter Space for Art, Istanbul -
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News story
Posted
March 22 2017
The Guardian reports on Grayson Perry's two Royal Television Society awards
Grayson Perry All Man earns the artist best presenter and best arts programme prizes at the RTS awards. The Guardian
