For the first time, this exhibition brings the Turner-Prize-winning artist Grayson Perry’s six large-scale tapestries to a building where William Hogarth’s A Rake’s Progress, the inspiration behind Perry’s tapestries, were purchased for and displayed.
In his work, Perry tackles subjects that are universally human: identity, gender, social status, sexuality and religion. Autobiographical references—to the artist’s childhood, his family, and his cross-dressing—can be read in tandem with questions about décor and decorum, class and taste, and the status of the artist versus that of the artisan. The exhibition invites viewers to consider their own connections with the tapestries’ vivid storytelling and rich, allegorical imagery.
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The set of monumental tapestries offer a contemporary re-reading of William Hogarth’s A Rake’s Progress, a series of eight satirical paintings depicting a riches-to-rags tale of Tom Rakewell in 18th-century London. Hogarth’s original paintings were bought by Sir John Soane’s wife 222 years ago to be displayed at Pitzhanger. The Soanes subsequently moved with their art collections to Lincoln’s Inn Fields. However, Pitzhanger continues to display a full series of framed 18th century engravings of A Rake’s Progress in their original setting of the vibrant red walls of the Soane’s drawing room. Visitors to the exhibition will be in the unique position to be able to compare and contrast both intricately detailed morality tales in the home of Hogarth’s series.
