As part of a TV series for Channel 4, artist Grayson Perry managed to unite the nation using art during the peak of UK lockdown.
Taking place from his home/studio, Grayson and his wife Phillipa filmed as they made new works, streamed video chats with fellow famous artists and creatives. But most importantly, invited viewers to submit lockdown art. Each week having a theme such as portraiture, home, etc.
This was a perfect source for me, especially the week centering around the theme of 'home.' The artist discusses the changing attitude towards our home, especially as an artist. Having your living space turned into a studio. We then start to explore bounds and re-establishing our sense of place. Reinforcing the home's purpose since these big lockdown changes have been set. For me this would be balancing my art with home life.
Furthermore, he discusses how psychological attachment to places tells us who we are. I think this is very true. For me it's my local area, it's where most of the family reside. So it has a feeling of familiarity and safety. I think that explains my character, definite home body. Relationships are very important to me so I like to be within close range of this.
COVID-19 certainly impacts the final product of art. When you're making art at home under difficult circumstances, it then has some sentimental value. It's an achievement it represents overcoming. I believe this is why Grayson Perry wanted this show to happen. Artistic or not, anyone could join in, giving yourself the task to draw, paint or make would help give a sense of purpose during lockdown.
Perry mentions how important it is to take care of our environment. The home is a sense of who you are, if it's not taken care of you lose yourself to it. This backs up the significance of the home. Especially for making art, you need to have a clear, happy space to create. Attempting to make something in a bad space really makes you lose incentive to make.
Finally, I liked Perry's theory that everyone has an "emotional map". This is created and expands with the people we meet. I feel I could call the work I'm currently making an "emotional map". Since it's all made up of streets I grew up, where family and friends stay, and significant structures.
Since the programme ended. Submissions from the public were selected by Grayson himself to exhibit at the Manchester Art Gallery. These pieces will also feature alongside the artists that appeared on the show. This includes, Antony Gormley, David Shrigley and Jeremy Deller. Plus many more.
By encouraging creativity at home, what Perry has done is document this period in lockdown for people to look back on. Making the nations attitude to quarantine public but also bringing art to the nation. Art should be accessible to all and here, he has proven it can be. At the beginning of this research one of my aims was to document the impact of this virus through art. I believe this period should be recorded for since it is a worldwide event. Therefore, what Grayson Perry has done here is a very good example of that.
Link:
https://manchesterartgallery.org/exhibitions-and-events/exhibition/graysons-art-club/
