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Grayson Perry: The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman
£19.30£23.80 (-19%)
‘The Tomb of an Unknown Craftsman is of a treasure hoard from a distinct civilisation. The difference is that it is a civilisation of one. The territory it springs from is my imagination. … The relationship between my personal themes and obsessions and the vastness of world culture as represented in the British Museum is like a narrow pilgrimage trail across an infinite plain.’ Grayson Perry Grayson Perry’s centrepiece to this fascinating journey is a major artwork: a metal tomb in the form of a ship, encrusted with reliefs and artistic cargo based on, or actually cast from, objects in the collection of the British Museum. The occupant sails into the afterlife surrounded by the talismans of many faiths and peoples. This is a memorial to all the anonymous craftsmen that over the centuries have fashioned the man-made wonders of the world, many of which are on display in the Museum. Around the tomb, the other artworks – ceramics, tiles, cast metal sculpture, textiles and prints – are laid out in ritualistic symmetry as if they once belonged somewhere else. Alongside his own works, Grayson Perry presents a personal selection of objects from the British Museum that are the inspiration for his pieces or connected strongly with them thematically or aesthetically. Including an introduction by Grayson Perry and lavishly illustrated, this book takes us to the fantasy world of a contemporary artist who never fails to challenge and unsettle his audience. “Grayson Perry is winner of the 2012 South Bank Sky Arts Award for visual arts, for the British Museum exhibition, The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman.”
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Additional information
| Publisher | British Museum Press, 1st edition (10 Oct. 2011) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Hardcover | 210 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 0714118206 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0714118208 |
| Dimensions | 24.38 x 2.54 x 27.94 cm |
by Ian Flaming
I think Grayson Perry is bravely cocking a snook at the art establishment with this work. They have categorised his output as “non-traditional”. After this volume, he runs the risk of being branded “derivative”!
A great read. I particularly liked the photo of Grayson posing on the Kenliworth AM1 while attempting a Victor Meldrew grimace (pp.44-45)
by North Westie
I bought this book to remind me of some of the pieces I loved in the exhibition. It’s a fantastic collection of images of Grayson’s works and some of the those items produced by the unknown crafts people that he included in the exhibition.
It’s a great book that I am finding more entertaining than I thought – love it – buy your own copy!
by vickie
Great Artist, Great Work, Great Taste of other craft which he picked out from a museum collection. Stunning book with lots of info and images. Well worth the money. Biggish book too.
by abuelajen
Grayson Perry’s humanity and open-mindedness make this book a fascinating read. Sadly I missed the exhibition but this gives a flavour of it.
An interesting book for anyone exploring contemporary art and the rationale behind it.
by J A Pearce
Amazing book
by Andrew B
Great book, TERRIBLE delivery!
What the hell is Amazon playing at? My copy of this wonderful book – and a copy of ‘Playing to the Gallery’ – both arrived scuffed and marked and to make matters worse, they are meant to be presents. Do the pickers in the Amazon warehouse enjoy tearing the book covers and kicking them around the floor? Are they trying to make a particular point, or are they just bored? I will to buy these again now, but this time, from a High Street bookshop. Shame on you, Amazon, I expected much better.
by HarryBosch
This book is beautifully presented and looking forward to read it.I love the Grayson Perry exhibition last year at the British Museum,It was one of the best exhibition the British Museum had presented in the last few years.
by L inda G.
If you like Grayson Perry, you’ll love this book.
The range of mediums he works in is impressive, and the selection of works here could (almost) mean that you wouldn’t have to put the book out of sight when Grandma comes to visit!