Showing posts with label Grayson's Art Club. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Grayson's Art Club. Show all posts

Sunday, March 27, 2022

Series 3 of Grayson's Art Club

It's so nice to see Grayson's Art Club back on Channel 4 - and also to see a post Covid tweak.

The third series started up last week - and was a most welcome addition to this time of the year. I really like the very relaxed vibe and way they make the programme. This is who we are / how we look / what we do. So very far removed from so-called "reality shows"!

Below is an update on
  • about series 3
  • how to watch and 
  • how to submit artwork 
  • plus an update on my lengthy postoperative recovery period. Tomorrow I enter week 9 and start partial weight-bearing - which will be a relief from one legged mobilising so long as it doesn't hurt!


The tweak is that the celebrity guest in this series is actually invited to their studio to make an artwork. Grayson Perry and his wife Philippa have sorted out a nice tidy area in a separate room which is well stocked with art materials - and they are invited to make an artwork on the theme of the week

Then share their sandwiches at lunchtime. There's a "bring your own" to this aspect of the programme which looks like it might become increasingly interesting as the series progresses. I'm saying no more.....

The first two guests have been Bill Bailey and Jo Brand - so a bit of a lean towards those with comic timing - and maybe a connection to mental health / therapy.

Episodes

The programme is broadcast on Channel 4 at 8pm and is subsequently available via the on demand facility All4 on television and devices connected to the web - although see my note below.

As per the first two series, every episode has a theme.  These are:
  • Love
  • Heroes and Heroines
  • Normal Life
  • Inside my Head
  • Holidays
  • The Future
  • The Queen
The first two episodes have aired and are now available online - although when I tried to watch Episode 2 this morning my TV Freeview refused to play and I had to access it via my Macbook. I've noticed this with the TV version of ALL 4 (the catch up for Channel 4) before - they're sometimes very slow to put up the latest episode

Submissions

Read how to submit artwork for the upcoming episodes which are still accepting submissions on the Grayson's Art Club website.

The deadlines for submissions are as follows:
  • LOVE submissions are now closed
  • HEROES & HEROINES submissions are now closed
  • NORMAL LIFE submissions are now closed
  • INSIDE MY HEAD submissions are now closed
  • HOLIDAYS submissions close at 17.00 (5pm) on 30th March
  • THE FUTURE submissions close at 17.00 (5pm) on 6th April
  • THE QUEEN submissions close at 17.00 (5pm) on 6th April

Exhibition


As before, Grayson is selecting artwork from those submitted for the end of series exhibition - but no news yet as to when or where that will be.

I'll endeavour to update as and when this becomes clearer.

A new pot - for the Science Museum

READ MORE......>>
Posted by Making A Mark on Sunday, March 27, 2022 0 comments
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Tuesday, December 14, 2021

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.


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.
Posted by Making A Mark on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 0 comments
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Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Current Art Shows on Channel 4

This is a post reflecting on art programmes on Channel 4. Specifically:

The Programmes

We would like our arts films to change the way we think about the world now. Commissioning Brief 
Channel 4 is a public service commercial broadcaster that commissions original programming and online content from independent production companies.

Interestingly Channel 4 does NOT have a category for Arts - despite its stated purpose - and despite having a commissioning brief for the Arts.

Of the programmes highlighted above:
  • The first two programmes are listed among the top 20 shows on Channel 4.
  • The last two are listed in the "Lifestyle" Category!

Grayson's Art Club



Grayson talks to artists, creatives, celebrities and viewers about art and lockdown
Grayson Perry has been at the heart of Channel 4's arts output for some time now - with various programmes having been made and broadcast on various topics dear to the artist.

For example - from a press release in late 2018 
For Grayson Perry being an outsider is at the heart of "Culture Wars" (w/t), which sees the acclaimed artist and broadcaster travel across the US, applying his unique artist-anthropologist’s eye to unpicking the tribal and cultural conflicts that underlie this deeply divided nation. Channel 4 announces line up of new arts programmes (November 2018)
In the last year, he has emerged, with his wife, as something of a creative saviour for all the angst and time on our hands associated with the pandemic and lockdown and staying at home and wondering what to do after baking banana bread!

Lately, this is what Channel 4 have had to say about Grayson - who's beginning to resemble a bit of a 'golden goose'
We have been looking for a popular returning arts series for the last 18 months and hope we’ve found one in the fantastic Grayson’s Art Club.

What I like about this programme

  • This is absolutely the perfect programme for lockdown
  • everybody outside his studio seems to participate via Zoom
  • Grayson Perry has serious art credentials - but is possibly the most unpompous member of the Royal Academy of Art ever
  • we all get to see the real version of an artist' studio and get to see how Grayson Perry makes his very popular artworks - and in particular his drawings and ceramic art / sculptures (although this time it's going to be cast in iron)
  • It involves both television personalities used to speaking to an audience - alongside members of the public talking about their experiences and their artwork
  • it displays both hidden talents (who can forget Joe Lycett's painting of Professor Chris Whitty in the first series?) and amazing creativity
  • I like the fact that Philippa Perry - who is no slouch being both a psychotherapist and author of #1 bestseller "The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read" - also gets to make art and her contributions are also very interesting
  • it combusts the notion of what is "proper art" and embraces the notion of "contemporary folk art" i.e. the art made by a community - in this case one experiencing a pandemic
  • as such it's also a vehicle for story-telling and community a well as making art. 
  • I'm guessing that a lot of people get comfort from the things they hear as well as see
  • There's going to be an exhibition at the end of it!!

This time the themes were announced in advance and people have had the opportunity to send them in with a digital video of themselves telling the story behind 

I have no doubt this programme will be written about and archived as a way of understanding the social history of what the pandemic meant to many people.



REFERENCE


Previous blog posts - in date order - include

The Great Pottery Throw Down

Twelve of Britain's best home potters compete to be crowned best at the wheel

What prompted this post was the Final of Series 4 of The Great Pottery Throwdown on Sunday night.

This programme started out on BBC2 in 2015 and 2017 - and then transferred to Channel 4 - which seems to be doing rather well in picking up programmes that the BBC don't want to invest in. 

Interestingly ceramic art links this programme and Grayson Perry. 

Participants, Judges and Presenter in Series 4 of The Great Pottery Throwdown

What I like about this programme

READ MORE......>>
Posted by Making A Mark on Tuesday, March 16, 2021 0 comments
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Thursday, January 14, 2021

Grayson Perry's Art Club (Series 2) back in February

Just what we need. Grayson to the rescue with more lockdown art! Series 2 of Grayson Perry's Art Club is back on Channel 4 in February 2021.
"Grayson Perry, one of Britain's leading artists, brings the nation together through art, making new works and hosting masterclasses set to unleash our collective creativity during lockdown" Channel 4

This time there's been a bit more planning! This post is about

  • the themes for Series 2 of Art Club
  • how to enter

These are my blog posts about his extremely successful and very popular first series which started at the end of April during the first lockdown in 2020. 

Grayson’s Art Club was the best performing series from Channel 4’s #StayAtHome Academy programming

Grayson/Claire and Philippa Perry - with exhibits in the Series 1 exhibition

Themes for Grayson Perry's Art Club - Series 2

“Art is good for you, whoever you are" 
Grayson Perry

Below is a video by Grayson and his co-star/wife, psychotherapist and author Philippa Perry telling you about the themes.
The themes - with deadlines for entries are as follows.
Note that when it says "end of (date)" it means 11.59pm or 23.59 on that date.
  • FAMILY submissions close end of 10th February 2021
  • NATURE submissions close end of 17th February 2021
  • FOOD submissions close end of 24th February 2021
  • DREAMS submissions close end of 3rd March 2021
  • WORK submissions close end of 10th March 2021
  • TRAVEL submissions close end of 17th March 2021

How to submit your artwork entry


Grayson Perry will send out messages via social media asking for members of the public to participate in the Series by uploading a 3-minute video message of themselves (the “Video”) filmed on their mobile phone together with three photos of their artwork (the “Artwork”). We will then select the Artworks and Videos he wants to consider for inclusion in the Series. If your Video or Artwork is selected one of the producers may then call you to discuss potentially appearing in the Series as a Contributor via video call on your device (the “Contributor”). If you are selected to be included they will send you a separate contract for your appearance.
Swan Films - the makers of the programme
The main difference with Series 2 is you're getting a LOT MORE NOTICE about the Themes of the six programmes in the series.

Who can enter

  • You must be a resident of the UK.
  • There's no limit on age BUT If you are under 18 you will need a parent/guardian to submit your artwork on your behalf, and hey must provide their phone number and email address.

What can you enter

We will accept any type of art including paintings, sculpture, drawings and collages, from amateurs and professionals alike.

How to enter

You can enter ONE artwork for EACH theme. Enter them one at a time (i.e. you can only choose the theme once per form)

You should submit 
  • up to three photos of the artwork you are submitting for the theme (don't forget to choose the theme!)
  • a video (max. 3 minutes long) of yourself talking about your art.
It's not clear if you must make a video or can just write up to 600 words about your art on the form.

Make sure that 
  • your photos and video are in landscape format and NOT PORTRAIT FORMAT
  • you label ALL your photos and video with your name and name of the artwork. (e.g. Philippa Perry sculpture of a cat #1 (and #2 and #3 and video)
Here's a little memory jogger re. landscape and portrait formats. It's not about whether it's a landscape or portrait - it about whether the picture is biased towards horizontal or vertical.

An image from my book Sketching 365 - about landscape and portrait formats
(and placement of horizons and crops)


What's the competition going to be like?


You need to be realistic. Millions watched the first series and c.10,000 people submitted their artwork - which means not a lot of time to view your entry. However Grayson's an expert in reviewing artwork given he chaired the Panel of Selectors for the 250th Summer Exhibition by the Royal Academy of Arts and had to sit through thousands and thousands of entries over quite a few days!
Posted by Making A Mark on Thursday, January 14, 2021 0 comments
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Thursday, September 03, 2020

Grayson Perry Returns - on TV, at the British Museum and with a new exhibition!

Oh joy of joys - Grayson is back - in a diverse number of ways - on TV, at the British Museum and with a new exhibition!  He and his work can be seen:

  • at the British Museum - NOW!
  • at Victoria Miro - with a new exhibition from 15th September timed to coincide with the roadtrip television series.....
  • on Channel 4 - riding across the USA on his motorbike - in 3 episodes later this month
  • early 2021 - in a second series of Grayson's Art Club.

That'll really get under the skin of the Grayson Haters Club.

For those who love Grayson read on....

CHANNEL 4 - another road trip in September 2020

Grayson Perry’s Big American Roadtrip (w/t), broadcast on Channel 4 in September
In this very personal three-part documentary travelogue, award-winning artist and social commentator Grayson Perry is going to travel across the US, to explore the meaning of the American Dream today. At a time when the nation can sometimes seem more divided than ever, he will spend time with people from very different walks of life, to try to understand how Americans today view issues of identity, race, money and class.
I have no dates and not a lot more than the quote from the production company above. Keep your eyes peeled - my guess is second half of the month.

Grayson Perry with his motorbike by the side of the road

CHANNEL 4 - a second series in early 2021

Grayson will be inviting you once again to join his Art Club in early 2021. 
No wonder - the first series was incredibly successful and has been nominated for a few television awards!

Grayson’s Art Club was the best performing series from Channel 4’s #StayAtHome Academy programming, attracting over one million viewers per episode. Apparently the nation was inspired to unleash its creative side during lockdown - with the series reportedly responsible for a considerable rise in online sales for craft specialists! 
“Appointment television is back – and it’s a bona fide masterpiece. In the midst of lockdown, a quirky Channel 4 series has brought the nation together and served up not just creativity but a slice of British life like no other.”
The Telegraph
Grayson’s Art Club, the critically acclaimed series, from BAFTA-winning production company Swan Films, has been recommissioned by Channel 4.  There are no dates as yet. 


Philippa and Grayson Perry

The second series has contemporary award-winning artist, writer and broadcaster Grayson Perry reworking from his studio alongside his wife, the best-selling author, psychotherapist and broadcaster Philippa Perry.
“I’m so pleased and proud Art Club is coming back, it’s a joyful team effort with the stars being the artists who send in their wonderful works and tell us their stories. Of course, it’s not principally about art, it’s a celebration of life.” 
Grayson Perry
The second series of Grayson’s Art Club in early 2021 will follow the same format, In each episode:
  • Grayson will in his studio making his own art - alongside Philippa who is no slouch in the art department!
  • He will also have conversations with celebrity guests, high-profile artists sharing insights into their processes, 
  • feature art made by the great British public. 
The one departure is that if social distancing rules permit it, Grayson will also travel around the country to meet artists and discuss their artwork. 

The series is being made by Swan Films produced by Neil Crombie and Joe Evans
“We’re thrilled to bring Grayson’s Art Club back to Channel 4. The first series unlocked a wealth of creativity around the country, and we’ll be building on that for the post-lockdown era, showing once again why we all need the joy of art in our lives.”
Joe Evans, co-founder and managing director of Swan Films
You will again be able to join in the conversation on twitter and Instagram @Channel4 using the hashtag #C4ArtClub

BRITISH MUSEUM

Grayson Perry: The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman

READ MORE......>>
Posted by Making A Mark on Thursday, September 03, 2020 0 comments
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Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Grayson Perry's Studio

I noticed a query on my blog stats - "Where is Grayson Perry's Art Club filmed?"
It's filmed in his own studio - which has been the subject of very many previous videos and articles.

Inside Grayson's Studio in Islington - with his wife Phil

He worked for many years in Walthamstow but moved his home and studio to Islington five years ago.


Articles and videos about his Grayson Perry's Studio


In chronological order - meaning it starts in Walthamstow and moves to Islington!
  • Artist's studios: Grayson Perry | The Guardian | 20 September 2008
For me all studios hark back to my father's shed, where the workbench strewn with tools became the cockpit of a fantasy aircraft journeying to imagined lands. This is the cosy dream of my creative nest, the reality is a crumbling old printer's shop in east London's outer reaches.
This video was made by Tate Shots in his Walthamstow Studio in 2011.



Claire never goes to the studio. Making pottery is a dirty business. You don’t go to the studio in a nice dress. It’s where you get on with stuff and make a mess and collapse in an armchair and listen to The Archers”
Does the studio change fundamentally as a consequence of becoming public? do you feel differently about it because it’s been photographed and filmed?
So many people come to my studio and take photographs, I forget how many. About 50 TV crews have been to my studio. Whenever they come, I say, ‘Well, I’ve spent hours making this look like a studio for you!’ When I was at college, we all had our little chipboard cubicles that we worked in. Someone came up and went, ‘Oooh, you’ve got a meaty space!’ And I thought, yeah, I do like to have a busy space. I like the feeling that it’s got a density of creativity going on.
  • My studio life: Grayson Perry RA By Tom Jeffreys | RA website Published 16 October 2014 HIGHLY RECOMMENDED -  a totally fascinating article where he explains different aspects of his studio, tools he uses, books he references and important artifacts around the place
“I do feel slightly embarrassed here. It feels like one of those YBA studios: they always have perfect white industrial studios. I’m not complaining though. Moving here has been the biggest change in my life – my work rate has gone up hugely. In Walthamstow I had to go home by four as it was simply too cold. Even here though, I swear by cashmere socks from November all the way through to about April.” 
He also does trips to the studio for charity

Grayson Perry with his kilns inside his studio

But right now he is using his studio as a film studio for Grayson's Art Club which very many of are following faithfully and enjoying every Monday evening - or in some instances over breakfast on Tuesday!

The cross-dressing potter, tapestry-maker, writer and presenter starts every morning with a mug of coffee and Marmite on toast, then makes a sandwich before pedalling off to his studio five minutes down the road. 
Grayson Perry interview: ‘There’s no excuse now for not doing art’ (24.04.20)

For a TV veteran like Perry, filming from home has been a new experience. There’s a cameraman camped out in a tent in the garden (“he’s even got his own Portaloo!”) and the director shouts at him through the window while six cameras stand around the studio — “the kind they used to film 24 Hours in A&E”. He interviews guests over Zoom. 
Grayson Perry interview: ‘There’s no excuse now for not doing art’
By the way for fans of the kevster (instant fame after Episode 2 of Grayson's Art Club) I found this tweet to be very funny.....and you get to see more studio and studio cat.

Posted by Making A Mark on Tuesday, May 12, 2020 0 comments
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