Grayson Perry ‘Smash Hits’ exhibition

Yesterday I finally made it to see Grayson Perry’s exhibition at the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh, ‘Smash Hits’.

Perry is an artist that I’ve admired for years – his work and approach to art is very much celebrated in my portfolio preparation course and my own ethos around creativity.

The project that students study around Identity is informed by videos and texts from many artists, Grayson Perry included, from his series on masculinity.

For me it’s not the visual aesthetic of the work that draws me so much as the curiosity, observation, honesty, significance and commentary on life experience. The skill and attention to detail, wit and humour is remarkable.

However, the media reviews have been very mixed and mine surprised me too.

Don’t get me wrong, the works ARE amazing.

However, my own observations during my visit to the exhibition were mainly, it’s SO busy. WAY too busy. And if I’m honest totally spoilt my enjoyment of the work.

I also found it quite odd that whilst the app with audio commentary from Grayson Perry was enabling a deeper understanding of the works, everyone was ‘on their phone’ either looking at it or listening to it as if on the phone.

Ironic given some of themes Grayson Perry explores around social media, social behaviour etc.

I personally think this prevents the viewer from engaging in their own experience so much, interpretation is given to them on a plate.

Everywhere I turned I was bumping into people or obscuring other people’s views, apologising etc.

Therefore I didn’t engage in the work as much as I would have liked to.

There was too much to take in and too little space, both physical and mental, to process it.

I didn’t listen to the audio in the gallery.

I’m sitting at home today in my studio with my coffee, some time, space and quiet to listen to the audio and read his catalogue.