Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Grayson Perry unveils 'Bad Portraits of Establishment Figures' pot

 

Robert de
Tuesday 02 October 2012 15:57 BST
Comments
Artist Grayson Perry with "Bad Portraits of Establishment Figures" in the 'RA Now' exhibition
Artist Grayson Perry with "Bad Portraits of Establishment Figures" in the 'RA Now' exhibition (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Grayson Perry has unveiled a pot covered in "bad portraits" to raise money for the refurbishment of the Royal Academy.

The transvestite potter is one of more than 100 members of the Academy who have donated work to be auctioned off for the central London gallery.

His work, called Bad Portraits of Establishment Figures, will be sold along with lots by names including Anish Kapoor, Tracey Emin and architect Norman Foster.

He said: "I always try to do the first idea I thought of and I thought I'd do one of those portraits even though I'm not really qualified to do it."

Perry has remained tight-lipped about who the figures represent, with Emin and Sir Peter Blake thought to be among them.

He said: "I've not said, mainly because I don't want to highlight the ineptitude of my portraiture.

"I hope it goes for a lot of money. I'm always surprised by artists who are embarrassed when things fetch high prices."

Perry, who recently presented a Channel 4 documentary series called All In The Best Possible Taste, said he had signed up for another television show which he said would feature "me with people".

He said: "I call it the Jamie Oliver method. I make art and get a television show out of it as well."

The planned auction aims to raise around £2.5 million for the Royal Academy with the work being shown at an exhibition called RA Now.

The money raised will go towards the Burlington Project, which will see the Academy nearly double in size over the next five years.

Its president, Christopher Le Brun, said it was "a unique opportunity to view and buy significant works".

He said: "The money raised from the auction and sale of these works will go towards the Burlington Project, the Royal Academy's most important development since its move to Burlington House in 1868.

"The Burlington Project's aim is to make the Academy the leading international centre for visual culture for the 21st century, offering an independent voice for art and artists. The participation of the Royal Academicians in RA Now shows the depth of their support for this project."

Members of the Academy, founded by King George III in 1768 and based in Piccadilly, central London, include practising painters, sculptors, engravers, printmakers, draughtsmen and architects who are elected by their peers.

PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in