Grayson Perry’s work returns to London after over a decade!
- Grayson Perry: The Vanity of Small Differences
- Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery
- Until December 2024
This exhibition brings the Turner-Prize-winning artist’s six large-scale tapestries to our borough of Ealing and we’ve spoken to Richard Parry, programmer of this fascinating set of work.
Richard Parry is Head of Programmes at Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery. Richard has worked for two decades in visual arts organisations including at the Hayward Gallery, the British Council, the Grundy Art Gallery in Blackpool and Glasgow International Festival.
So Richard, tell us about the exhibition
The Vanity of Small Differences is an exhibition comprising six cinema size tapestries, depicting the rags-to-riches story of “Tim Rakewell”. It’s a commentary on social class in England and the things we surround ourselves with, things that denote our perceived sense of social status. The series contains a lot of references to paintings from the Renaissance period and after, with the main anchor being William Hogarth’s famous series “A Rake’s Progress,” which in 1802 was purchased by Eliza Soane for Pitzhanger Manor.
Why Pitzhanger Manor?
Not only is Pitzhanger the home that Soane purchased A Rake’s Progress for, but the scale of the artworks is also perfect for the galleries – they could have been made for the space.
The exhibition was leant by the Arts Council Collection and this is who we approached about staging the exhibition in the first place. We’re delighted that Grayson and his team got behind the idea following those initial enquiries.
What are people saying about the exhibition?
The response has been fantastic. Audiences of all ages from right across the borough and beyond have really responded to the artworks. We’ve noticed lots of groups of people visiting and going backwards and forward between the artworks, comparing and making notes about all the fascinating and witty details.
With our audience surveys we can see that people are visiting from right across the UK and beyond.
How are you engaging with the people of Ealing?
As well as special events for members, we are undertaking guided tours, late viewings, as well as engagement programmes such as our picture wall where we’re asking people to draw the object that they feel best defines who they are.
What is the exhibition’s impact on Ealing?
Having an artist like Grayson showing in Ealing brings a huge amount. The place is buzzing and it puts both the gallery and Ealing on the map for a lot of people who wouldn’t otherwise have visited. The exhibition has also been a huge inspiration for children and young people who find it very relatable. We also currently have an exhibition looking back at racist events and the community response in Southall in the 1970s and 80s (Southall Resists) and the young people involved in making the silk paintings for that also took a lot of inspiration from Grayson in working from fabric.
What else should we look out for?
As well as Grayson and the Southall Resists exhibition we are also exhibiting works by Shepherd’s Bush-based Antoni Malinowski and photographer Hélène Binet throughout the manor until January, and from 8 November we open an exhibition of sculpture by Katherine Gili, who has a sculpture on display at Tate Britain as part of their recent re-hang.
Huge thanks to Richard for taking the time to speak to us about this exciting exhibition.
