Grayson Perry delivers the Orwell Lecture in the North

15 November 2017, 6.30pm (fully booked)

Grayson Perry: I’ve read all the academic texts on empathy 

Grayson Perry will deliver the first Orwell Lecture in the North in almost 20 years at the University of Sheffield in November. A new partnership between the Orwell Foundation and the Sir Bernard Crick Centre at the University of Sheffield will see the re-establishment of the prestigious event in the North of England.

In his lecture, titled ‘I’ve read all the academic texts on empathy’, Grayson Perry will give an artist’s view on our emotions around politics and identity.

He said: “I am an artist and I am a great believer in the power of culture to communicate in ways that are particular to the arts, a more holistic style of relaying information that talks not only to the intellect but the heart, body and soul as well."

“We need to harness and grow this power as a force for good, a force that can bind us in deep and lovely ways we did not even know were happening.”

The Orwell Foundation’s flagship lecture – which has attracted notable speakers including Ian Hislop (2016), Dr Rowan Williams (2015) and University of Sheffield alumna Dame Hilary Mantel – has been given annually since 1989, originally in Birkbeck and Sheffield, but has recently been held solely in London.

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Please note: this event is now fully booked

Image: portrait of Grayson Perry

Photograph © Richard Ansett