Grayson Perry

Grayson Perry is a British visual and ceramic artist born in Chelmsford, England, 1960. He studied art at the University of Portsmouth after attending King Edward Grammar School in Chelmsford. He then developed a passion for ceramics, a field in which he specialized. In 1980, he exhibited his pottery for the first time at the Institute of Contemporary Art in London. He graduated in 1982 and met Christine Binnie who introduced him to the group of "Neo-Naturist", calling for a return to the 1960s, with a predominance of nudity in artistic production.

Grayson Perry approaches contemporary subjects through art. He sarcastically portrays the failings of British society, including sadomasochism and child sexual abuse. There are many references to sexuality, sometimes drawing the wrath of a certain audience.

Grayson Perry provides a partly autobiographical work, recurrently showing Claire, his transvestite alter-ego. Grayson discovers cross-dressing as a teenager, which earns him the wrath of his father and stepmother. However, he will not stop dressing as a woman, denouncing British societal diktats. Claire is a completely invented character, inspired by the 19th century, from the bourgeoisie of Victorian England. Grayson himself designs Claire's clothes, which he then depicts on his ceramics and tapestries. The artist was also a television presenter. He wrote two autobiographies.

A renowned British artist, he has exhibited his work in numerous museums, including The British Museum, the Serpentine Gallery, The Andy Warhol Museum, the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Grayson Perry now lives in London with his wife and daughter. He is a professor at the University of East London. A committed artist, he supports the Labor Party, raising funds through the sale of his works of art.