Many artists have inspired my research for the project. Grayson Perry was one amongst many. I saw his Channel 4 Documentary: ‘All in the Best Possible Taste’ a couple of years ago and was intrigued. I don't know how the influences will come through in the work - it'll be interesting to see how it all unfolds.
The Adoration of The Cage Fighters' Source: The Art Fund/Grayson Perry, 2016
The scale and impact of the work was inspiring
Perry describes his TV series as a ‘safari of taste and style,’ and asks:
Do the things we own define us, and to what extent?
What do the things that we have in our homes say about us?
Notions of class and style – are they linked, where do they come from?
Does ‘social mobility’ still exist these days?
The research from ‘All in the best possible taste’ culminated in the production of a series of large scale, digitally produced tapestries which are based on historic, religious paintings and Hogarth's 'A Rake's Progress' - which, like Hogarth's work, tells the story of a character called 'Tim' (instead of Tom) who inherits a fortune from his miserly father – but then follows a path to vice and destruction.
What do the things that we have in our homes say about us?
Notions of class and style – are they linked, where do they come from?
Does ‘social mobility’ still exist these days?
The research from ‘All in the best possible taste’ culminated in the production of a series of large scale, digitally produced tapestries which are based on historic, religious paintings and Hogarth's 'A Rake's Progress' - which, like Hogarth's work, tells the story of a character called 'Tim' (instead of Tom) who inherits a fortune from his miserly father – but then follows a path to vice and destruction.
An inspirational trip to see the exhibition with the group is definitely on the cards.
By Marion Cheung
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/in-the-best-possible-taste-grayson-perry
http://www.victoriagal.org.uk/visit Grayson Perry's exhibition 'The Vanity of Small Differences' is on tour and is at The Victoria Gallery, Bath until 10th April.
Hogarth's 'A Rake's Progress
This collection of paintings can be found at one of my favourite museums, The John Soane Museum, London.