Julie Rawle Greer

Grayson Perry ‘s interview was interesting and enlightening.  I admire his brave honesty concerning his identity as an artist, a transvestite and as a man.   I appreciate that he has come to terms with his difficult past and chooses to narrate his stories on his vessels.  He uses ceramics as a narrative and figurative media.  He continues to push social and artistic boundaries while challenging norms. 

He speaks of the difference between craft and art.  A craft can be taught, whereas, fine art is subjective.  He considers himself an artist versus a potter or ceramicist (those titles being pretentious). He melds classic forms with challenging themes, often autobiographical, and most always revealing society’s deep flaws.  His belief that “innovation is overrated” is evident in his choice to use classical forms.  He states that he does “his version of a classical pot”.  He is bound to fine workmanship, but believes that form and content are incongruous. 

Perry’s pieces are highly decorated with multiple elements.  He experiments with varied materials, treatments and designs.  His work reveals stories that can be shocking, entertaining, and esthetically disturbing and/or pleasing.  He is successful in creating imagery that stirs an emotional response. 

I appreciate that Perry refuses to be pigeon holed.  After a difficult upbringing, years of therapy and self-doubt, he has come to terms with his identity as an artist and as a person.  He inspires me to continue on my path of self-discovery in my artistic field of study and experimentation.  I too, feel that art is subjective and I also feel that art should have a high level of quality workmanship or artisanship (quality form + content).