Art in the Diner: Husband and Wife by Grayson Perry
The centerpiece of Grayson Perry’s art at the New York show is a life-size couple in their twenties, sitting on a bench. The man has long hair and is dressed in a sweater and jeans. His female companion wears a short skirt and a pink top, with her hair in pigtails. They could be any young couple off for dinner at an Italian restaurant, except that the woman is pregnant.
The title seems to indicate that this is meant to be an idealized portrait, but it’s hard not to notice that there are many ways that this couple could be more conventional. The girl is too thin. Her boyfriend looks as if he has been raised by wolves. She seems more interested in looking at her phone than in having dinner with him, or being pregnant.
Dinner with the In-Laws: A Case Study
In some ways, I think this painting may be the most revealing of all of the ones in the show, and just might get overlooked because it doesn’t have any obvious symbolism or narrative. It just shows a typical young couple trying to figure out how they fit into society…it reminds us that everyone goes through these phases, even if they aren’t famous artists
Husband and Wife is the work of Grayson Perry. Grayson, born in 1961 and a Turner Prize-winning artist, has been the subject of many documentaries, including the BBC’s Grayson Perry: Who Are You? (2008) and Grayson Perry: All Man (2009).
From the bio at his website: “…Perry says his gender issues are still critical to him as an artist. ‘I’m addicted to wearing this frock, I have to be honest. I would wear it 24 hours a day if I could,’ he said.”
In his work, “Perry explores how some of the objects around us and their meanings are intrinsically linked to our sense of self and identity.” In this sculpture, he uses the object of a woman’s dress to explore how people use symbols of gender in their lives. He uses humor and satire in his work to make people think about things that may be uncomfortable for them.
“Perry has also used other objects to get people thinking about social issues. For example, in his piece ‘The Domestic Bliss’, Perry explores stereotypes prevalent in gay relationships. Perry used domestic items such as tea cups, towels, bedding and kitchen utensils to create this piece.”
“Grayson Perry was born in London in
“You can see Grayson Perry’s work in the nearby galleries, including a new show featuring his dresses titled ‘Husband and Wife’,” says the magazine’s website, as it recommends to readers the affordable thrill of an exhibition curated by a celebrity.
“It’s great to see some of the work from my show,” said Perry when asked about the Guggenheim’s use of his exhibition title. “I’m a great admirer of the Guggenheim and have been a number of times.”
Perry’s work was shown alongside that of fellow Turner prize nominee Elizabeth Price, whose show was called “Clandestine”.
The magazine asks: “What does that tell you about the art market?”
Perry’s work will be in New York until 23 September, but he has no plans to open his own gallery there. “I’d rather stay in London,” he said.
Grayson Perry, the Turner Prize winning artist and potter is having his first major exhibition in New York City at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. This is a show that will feature over 100 pieces of his artwork.
The show has a wide range of subjects and the review talks about some of them. There are also some pieces on display that have not been seen before. One such piece is called “The Husband and Wife”–a life-size sculpture of a couple dressed in traditional work wear, but with exaggerated genitalia.
Of course, Grayson Perry’s work should be taken as a form of entertainment. He’s an artist who enjoys poking fun at society and he uses this vehicle to do it in public. His work is amusing and entertaining and it makes you think about your own values, but not necessarily from an academic perspective.
Travis Elborough writes for The Guardian newspaper. He says that Grayson Perry is interested in how people construct their own identities, both as individuals and as members of groups like families or communities.”
The 2014 Whitney Biennial is titled “My Dirty Little Secret”: an exhibit of contemporary art, curated by Francesco Bonami, that explores the complexities and contradictions in sexual identity.
One of the artists featured in the show is Grayson Perry. Perry’s work has been shown all over the world, and he has been awarded many prizes including the Turner Prize in 2003. His art takes inspiration from his life story; he is a working class man who was raised as a girl. He gives voice to a new kind of “bloke culture” through his artwork, but also references traditional art forms like pottery and weaving.
Perry’s work is included in the exhibition “My Dirty Little Secret,” which illuminates how we look at ourselves, love one another and express our sexuality today.
Grayson Perry, the transvestite potter, held an Art Club in the basement bar of the New Museum. He invited a few people, including his wife and kids.
Perry’s wife and kids have never been part of his public persona before. He has always been single, a trailblazer, a lone wolf.
The show was titled The End of Men and featured many works by male artists. It was all very man hating.
Perry said that he didn’t want to be “a patriarch” but that he did want to support his wife’s work.
If you are a feminist who hates men so much that you are willing to trash your family and marriage then I have a question for you: why? Why go there? What’s the point? It is like wishing for your own divorce. Why would anyone do that? And how do you live with yourself afterwards?
“She [Grayson Perry] doesn’t come across as a feminist. She comes across as a woman who paints with the same sensibility and skills that a man would have. It’s marvelous,” Hosking said. “So she is a true role model for women in art.”
Perry, 51, is best known for his ceramic vases and platters decorated with caricatures of figures from British popular culture—darts players, soccer hooligans, truckers, members of the House of Lords—that to varying degrees comment on gender stereotypes. Perry was born in London but moved to rural Gloucestershire at age 14 after the death of his father and a tumultuous childhood during which he was bullied at school because he was gay. His mother was an alcoholic.”
The Guardian