Grayson Perry's 'The Most Popular Art Exhibition Ever' goes on display at London's Serpentine
by Tom Anstey | 09 Jun 2017
London’s Serpentine Gallery has opened a new exhibition by British contemporary artist Grayson Perry dubbed The Most Popular Art Exhibition Ever, touching on themes including popularity and art, masculinity, and the current cultural landscape.
Tackling the issue of how contemporary art can best address a diverse cross section of society, the exhibition was featured on a recent Channel 4 documentary Grayson Perry: Divided Britain, which followed the artist as he created new work for the show.
Speaking to the public about the state of Britain following the EU referendum vote, Perry polled the British public on social media, inviting them to contribute ideas, images and phrases to cover the surface of two enormous new pots: one for people who voted to leave the EU and one for people who voted to remain. The pots, titled Matching Pair, are now on display as part of the exhibition.
“I am in the communication business and I want to communicate to as wide an audience as possible,” said Perry. “Nothing pleases me more than meeting someone at one of my exhibitions from what museum people call ‘a nontraditional background.’ The new works I am making all have ideas about popularity hovering around them. What kind of art do people like? What subjects? Why do people like going to art galleries these days? What is the relationship of traditional art to social media?”
Taking place between 8 June and 10 September 2017, the Perry exhibition debuts ahead of the launch of this year’s Serpentine Pavilion in Kensington Gardens, which opens on 23 June and has been designed by award-winning Burkino Faso architect Diébédo Francis Kéré.
Serpentine Gallery Grayson Perry museums galleries visitor attractions Grayson Perry: Divided Britain
'Grayson Perry: Divided Britain' followed the artist as he created new work for the show Credit: 2017 Robert Glowacki
The temporary exhibitions takes place during the Serpentine’s popular summer season Credit: 2017 Robert Glowacki
21 Feb 2017
Diébédo Francis Kéré wins 2017 Serpentine Pavilion commission with responsive tree-inspired design
29 Sep 2016
Serpentine launches Hadid retrospective and announces Adjaye and Rogers will help choose 2017 Pavilion
12 Mar 2013
Visitors fell in love with modern British art & design in 2012 according to visitor figures issued by ALVA
London’s Serpentine Gallery has opened a new exhibition by British contemporary artist Grayson Perry dubbed The Most Popular Art Exhibition Ever, touching on themes including popularity and art, masculinity, and the current cultural landscape. Tackling the issue of how contemporary art can best address a diverse cross section of society, the exhibition was featured on a recent Channel 4 documentary Grayson Perry: Divided Britain, which followed the artist as he
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