ARTIST

Born in Chelmsford, Essex in 1960, Grayson Perry lives and works in London. Grayson Perry is a great chronicler of contemporary life, drawing us in with wit, affecting sentiment and nostalgia as well as, at times, fear and anger. In his work, Perry tackles subjects that are universally human: identity, gender, social status, sexuality, religion. Autobiographical references – to the artist’s childhood, his family and his transvestism – 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. Perry uses the seductive qualities of ceramics and other art forms to make stealthy comments about society, its pleasures as well as its injustices and flaws, and to explore a variety of historical and contemporary themes. He works with traditional media such as ceramics, cast iron, bronze, printmaking and tapestry, and is interested in how each historic category of object accrues intellectual and emotional baggage over time.

Winner of the 2003 Turner Prize, Perry was elected a Royal Academician in 2012, and received a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2013; he has been awarded the prestigious appointments of Trustee of the British Museum and Chancellor of the University of the Arts London (both in 2015), and received a RIBA Honorary Fellowship in 2016.

CHARITY

Koestler Arts is a leading UK prison arts charity. Koestler encourages people in the criminal justice system to change their lives by participating in the arts and sharing their artworks so that the public can witness this diverse range of voices, stories and talent. Their aim is to help offenders, secure patients and detainees lead more positive lives by motivating them to participate and achieve in the arts. They also work to increase public awareness and understanding of the arts by people in the criminal justice system.