An Exhibition for Britain and the return of Grayson's Art Club

I was surprised and delighted to see that Grayson's Art Club was broadcast once more last Friday on Channel 4.

Grayson's Art Club - the website

The programme was all about "An Exhibition for Britain" - curated by Grayson Perry - and some of the artworks chosen for the exhibition by people who participated in Grayson's Art Club.

pic.twitter.com/kxpqWZjeIk

— Grayson Perry (@Alan_Measles) December 10, 2021

The exhibition is on at Bristol Museum and Art Club from 4 December 2021 until 4 September 2022 - and this is the only place and the only time you can see it. 

The artworks made by the public, established artists, and celebrities are powerful and very personal responses to the pandemic. Collectively, they form a lasting artistic record of the unprecedented times the nation has experienced together.

Alongside Grayson and his wife Philippa, the contributing artists and celebrities include Alex Horne, Anneka Rice, Banksy, Boy George, Chila Kumari Burman-Singh, David Bailey, Derren Brown, Sir Frank Bowling, Holly Walsh, Jane Seymour, Johnny Vegas, Lianne La Havas, Lucy Sparrow, Mawaan Rizwan, Polly Morgan, Russell Tovey, Sue Perkins, Tom Allen and Yinka Ilori.

It's spread out over three floors of the art gallery so that pieces sit alongside other artworks in the collection

In Bristol, Grayson Perry curates a joyful, moving exhibition of the public's lockdown artworks from 2021, as well as works from leading artists and celebrities

I thought the Guardian review of the programme pretty much captured what it was all about. I know I was in tears at one point.

You try watching a girl who is so disabled she creates her art with her eyes - and then proceeds to produce one of the best every portraits of Grayson Perry!

Guardian review by Lucy Mangan

Grayson’s Art Club was a brilliantly and quickly conceived response to Britain’s pandemic-induced lockdowns. The first series covered the first two confinements, the second one our third – though you suspect not final – sheltering-in-place. The unflagging optimism of Grayson, and his equally indefatigable wife Philippa, framed the enforced hiatus as an opportunity for us to get stuck into something we might not otherwise do, and turn to art as a way of processing the unprecedented situation and expressing the otherwise inexpressible.

My overwhelming impression is how much better the British public are at recording one of the most momentous events in UK history when compared to very many artists.  Contributions from "the celebs" were also pretty good and some were very memorable. 

I've been going to art society exhibitions and looking for art inspired by the pandemic - but have found precious little. Whether this an issue to do with what artist produce or what selection panels choose I really don't know.

What I do know is that it is an amazing achievement to have an exhibition in Bristol of some amazing artwork made during and, in part, reflecting the pandemic. I applaud all 17,000 of you who submitted artwork and those who had their artwork selected.

If you didn't catch this programme last Friday I highly recommend you watch it on catch-up on ALL4 - it made me feel proud to be British!

The return of Grayson's Art Club

Many of you will be pleased to hear that apparently Grayson's Art Club is returning in 2022. A third series has been commissioned.

I think Channel 4 understand that they've got a winner on their hands with this programme which connects with people across all communities and all areas.

Armed with a new set of themes, Grayson’s Art Club promises to represent the ever-changing mood of the nation, and once again we will see Grayson in his studio making his own art responding to what has got the nation talking. Grayson will speak with celebrity guests and high-profile artists who’ll share insights into their processes and will feature art made by the great British public. Restrictions provided, Grayson will finally be able to throw open his studio doors and welcome in his celebrity guests and their art.

The six-episode run will see Grayson incorporate weekly themes for members of the public to submit artwork to. Themes and submission information will be made available in early 2022.