OK, so it's not a painting exactly but.....
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| JANE AUSTEN IN E17, GRAYSON PERRY(2009), MANCHESTER ART GALLERY |
This is a decorated vase made by the British artist Grayson Perry who, regrettably, is more well-known for his cross-dressing than for his art. It is titled 'Jane Austen in E17'. E17 is the first part of the unfashionable north-east London postcode of the artist's studio.
Perry will often juxtapose discordant themes and ideas and this example is typical. Obviously it is beautiful and appealing to the eye with it's depiction of genteel and elegant late eighteenth-century ladies carved into a Chinese style vase. However, a closer inspection will reveal the use of photo-printed images behind the ladies depicting contemporary violence in the local area of his studio.
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| DETAIL FROM THE ABOVE WORK |
The artist himself is a very interesting character. He is a married family man from the English county of Essex (same as me!) who has created an alter ego personality named Clare who is sometimes depicted in his artwork and provides a way for him to express certain facets of his life and personal history. Perry says that his female identity matches his low self-esteem because women are often seen as 'second-class' and so are potters, his chosen medium as an artist. Born in 1960, he came to public awareness after winning the important Turner prize in 2003 and this year (2013) he delivered the prestigious BBC Reith lecture series which was hugely enjoyable; he is a very open, honest and funny man. Definitely 'first class'!
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| GRAYSON PERRY |
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| GRAYSON'S ALTER EGO 'CLARE' |
14 comments:
Hot from the desk of the appalling, yet fabulous, Sir Tom Eagerly:
I say Bazza she's a pretty filly! A man in drag you say? Ah well, don't knock it till you've tried it, eh!
Nice vase too. Cheers old boy.
Sir Tom, you have never been more appalling or less fabulous! Bottoms up.
Brilliant, once again we agree. I love eccentrics, all the more-so talented ones. Love the vase, and as for the dresses, as Pauline Calf once said "If you like it do it - if you don't like it do it, you might like it." Hahahaha.
Yes our convergent tastes are getting spooky!
Pauline Calf and Grayson Perry are as one. You can't beat a good old British ecentric (unless they want you to....
It's a beautiful vase. The guy sounded like quite a character!
Hi Sherry. He is a proper character but he is also a talented artist.
He is quite often featured in the UK media but, sadly, very few people would be able to tell you that he is a potter but would know that he is a cross-dresser:(
Hi dad! I love this vase. Have to admit I also had no idea he was anything other than a cross dressing celeb :(
Hi Ruthie. I'm glad you like Daddy's choice - and that you learnt something new! Love you xx
Bazza,
My dear chap, I go to comment and I cannot see what I just saw. One moment, please....must load your blog up on another page....
Aha, having looked at the vase, which is rather nice, perhaps it's actually a self-portrait by Grayson Perry.
Cheerio, old bean.
Gary
Hi Gary. Thank you for your stream-of-consciousness comment....I could almost hear the wheels going round in your head!
You could be right about the self-portrait aspect though.
Best regards, Bazza.
wow the vase is really beautiful sir
It is indeed - but I don't think it is in need of mold (or mould) removal!
Hope you and yours are having a lovely Christmas bazza :D
Hi AC: Can't talk - eating.....mmm mince pie.... cold turkey....mmm.
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