Grayson Perry

This month I have discovered the artist Grayson Perry - thanks to a recommendation to watch his weekly programme on Channel 4 called Grayson’s Art Club. While the show is great, what I find most inspiring is seeing Grayson work in his studio space in North London. His approach to work strikes me as serious play - as in he takes his fantasies and what fascinates him seriously. He gives space for his imagination to express itself and his ease and self-assuredness with it inspires me. Grayson is in his sixties now, so maybe he wasn’t always as comfortable in himself, but it’s lovely to see and fills me with a feeling of hope and expansiveness.

His wife Philippa (who also works as a psychotherapist) works alongside him, creating work of her own. I love seeing them take their breaks to drink coffee, eat bananas and chat about where they are at with their respective projects. This way of life, of working, appeals to me very much and seeing it helps me to see it as a real possibility for myself and my partner Liam.   

In one of the episodes, I like how he addresses both the initial resistance in starting a project and the benefits to be reaped from persevering: “the worst part of any artwork is the beginning. And one of the golden rules I find of making art is don’t start at the important bit…Push on through the awkwardness and on the other side is a great golden vista of pleasure, distraction and reward. “

Photo sourced here.