Grayson Perry - Tapa dura

Several books have been published about Perry, but none is as comprehensive as this one. Highly recommended for students of contemporary art, ceramics, and social commentary. Lavishly illustrated monograph delves into Perry's exploration of emotional territory that lies outside the world of convention and details his involvement with media often placed at the boundaries between craft and high art. With more than 300 illustrations of both Perry's works and, in many cases, the imagery that inspired such works, this book is a treat for the eyes. Perry's first major monograph, showing 150 of his works, not only ceramics but also films and sketchbook pages. In addition, we see some of the objects that have inspired him, from Afghan rugs to medieval altarpieces. Beautiful and troubling. Challenges us to deal with sex, gender and violence in ways that are unexpected in his chosen methods.... Beautiful book documenting a lovely and fascinating artist.

Grayson Perry, famous for his ceramic vases decorated with shocking and unconventional imagery, is one of a generation of contemporary British artists to have emerged on the international stage in the last two decades. He shot to fame in 2003 when he won the prestigious Turner Prize, collecting the award wearing a lilac babydoll dress and red pumps. In this lavishly illustrated monograph, Jacky Klein explores Perrys work through a discussion of his major themes and subjects, such as class or conflict. Her text is complemented by a series of intimate, insightful commentaries on individual pieces by the artist himself. The book features some 150 of Perrys works as well as a rich selection of the visual material that has inspired him, from Afghan war rugs, medieval altarpieces and satirical prints to the paintings of Pieter Brueghel, Anselm Kiefer and the American Outsider artist Henry Darger.With an up-to-date biography, bibliography and exhibition history, this definitive book is the first to explore fully the achievements of Perrys twenty-five-year career.