Turner Prize-Winning Artist Grayson Perry exhibits for the first time in Kyiv
The British Council in Ukraine is launching its 2017 arts programme with The Vanity of Small Differences, an exhibition by one of the most high-profile contemporary British artists, Grayson Perry, which will run from 16 February to 22 March in IZOLYATSIA, Kyiv. The event also marks the start of the British Council’s 25th anniversary celebrations of its work in Ukraine.
The Vanity of Small Differences consists of a series of six large-scale tapestries by Perry, which explores the British fascination with taste and class. Inspired by the 18th-century painter William Hogarth’sOpens in a new tab or window. moral tale, A Rake’s Progress, which also is a part of the exhibition, the tapestries follow the life of a fictional character called Tim Rakewell, as he develops from infancy through his teenage and middle years, to his untimely death in a bloody car accident. The tapestries are rich in both content and colour and depict many of the eccentricities and peculiarities associated with life in the UK, from interior design to British cuisine, political protest and celebrity gossip. The composition of each tapestry also recalls early Renaissance religious painting, drawing us into an art historical, as well as a socio-political exploration. The tapestries were produced in 2012 and have previously been exhibited in numerous museums around the world.
Grayson Perry won the Turner Prize (the UK’s leading annual prize for contemporary arts) in 2003 and is well known for his highly-crafted ceramics providing astute commentary on aspects of modern British life, as well as for his alter-ego Claire whom he often dresses up as.
In Ukraine, the exhibition is being organised by the British Council in partnership with the IZOLYATSIA platform for cultural initiatives in Kyiv. The event will be also accompanied by educational programme: a three-part Channel 4 documentary All in the Best Possible Taste with Grayson Perry, which follows Perry as he develops his ideas for the tapestries and travels to towns and cities across the UK investigating what ‘taste’ is and how it differs from place to place; and five lectures on modern arts each Saturday – from 15.00 till 17.00, prepared by the Cultural Project.
Organisers and partners of the Grayson Parry’s exhibition world tour are Arts Council Collection, Southbank Centre, London and British Council. Gift of the artist and Victoria Moro Gallery with the support of Channel 4 Television, the Art Fund and Sfumato Foundation with additional support from Alix Partners.
Click here to find out more.