Grayson Perry is 49 years-old, his female alter-ego Claire is 34 on the 5th November and teddy bear, Alan Measles (named after the boy next door and a bout of measles in winter 1963), is 45 years-old. Making their average age 42 and a half, perfect subject matter for That's Not My Age.
So, the 'transvestite potter' is having a bit of a moment. An appearance last week on Have I got News For You, a collection of scarves for Liberty (beautifully modelled by Waldemar Januszczak in The Sunday Times Culture supplement,see below), a brilliant new book by Jacky Klein and his largest show to date at Victoria Miro
As well as the trademark pots, Perry has turned his hand to tapestry. Paying tribute to Alan Measles (the bear who ruled an imaginary kingdom when GP was a boy) with a nifty piece of handiwork. The fabulous Walthamstow Tapestry runs the whole length of the opposite wall, and wittily depicts modern, everyday life. From birth at one end, to old age and death at the other, with Grayson Perry and Claire in the middle. And a generous scattering of brand names, from Lidl to Louis Vuitton, dotted all around.
And there's a lovely outdoor space at the back of the gallery, which has some polka dot sculptures by Japanese artist, Yayoi Kusama. She's 80 by the way.
The Walthamstow Tapestry exhibition continues until 7 November 2009, at Victoria Miro
Photographs:
Grayson Perry (at the Liberty store) from The Guardian.
Waldemar Januszczak from The Sunday Times.