Grayson Perry: Delusions of Grandeur

Grayson Perry: Delusions of Grandeur presents over 40 new works by Sir Grayson Perry (1960). In the largest contemporary exhibition ever held at the museum, visitors will encounter ceramics, tapestries and works on paper, amongst others, displayed alongside masterpieces from the collection that helped shape Perry’s vision for this landmark show.

Delusions of Grandeur will interrogate the very nature of craft-making and our drive for perfectionism. Intricate handcrafted objects will be shown alongside works made with digital technology – comparing an object that may have taken thousands of hours to create against one that was possible with the click of a button. Through these contrasting approaches, Perry will ask the viewer to contemplate questions concerning authenticity and the artist’s role in the future.

As part of this questioning, Delusions of Grandeur will also focus on ‘outsider art’ with the inclusion of works by Aloïse Corbaz and Madge Gill. Sparked by the discovery that Madge Gill (1882-1961) had exhibited at the Wallace Collection in 1942, the life and work of these outsider artists has helped unlock Perry’s own response, which also draws upon his own childhood experiences.

Marking the artist’s 65th birthday, Delusions of Grandeur offers an elaborate commentary on the very nature of making and collecting art. Touching upon themes including the gendering of decoration, the exhibition will be a major moment for one of the country’s most respected artists.