Grayson Perry's latest exhibition, "The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman" opened at the British Museum in London on October 6.
The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman —
Grayson Perry's latest exhibition, "The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman" opened at the British Museum in London on October 6.
For the show, Perry -- one of Britain's leading contemporary artists -- was given unprecedented access to the museum's massive collections.
The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman —
For the show, Perry -- one of Britain's leading contemporary artists -- was given unprecedented access to the museum's massive collections.
He picked out dozens of objects which inspired and interested him -- such as this 17th century slipware dish.
The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman —
He picked out dozens of objects which inspired and interested him -- such as this 17th century slipware dish.
Ancient artifacts are displayed alongside new works by Perry, a ceramicist who won the Turner Prize in 2003.
The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman —
Ancient artifacts are displayed alongside new works by Perry, a ceramicist who won the Turner Prize in 2003.
Both his works and the selected pieces by unknown craftsmen of the past explore questions of culture, religion, history and pilgrimage.
The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman —
Both his works and the selected pieces by unknown craftsmen of the past explore questions of culture, religion, history and pilgrimage.
"You Are Here," which greets visitors on their arrival at the exhibition, features figures "explaining" why they have come to the show.
The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman —
"You Are Here," which greets visitors on their arrival at the exhibition, features figures "explaining" why they have come to the show.
Perry's "I Have Never Been to Africa" pot is shown alongside a carved tusk from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman —
Perry's "I Have Never Been to Africa" pot is shown alongside a carved tusk from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The massive tapestry "Map of Truths and Beliefs" features pilgrimage destinations -- both religious and secular.
The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman —
The massive tapestry "Map of Truths and Beliefs" features pilgrimage destinations -- both religious and secular.
Perry places "traditional" pilgrimage sites such as Mecca, Bethlehem and Amritsar alongside modern secular ones: Disneyland, Wembley, Ground Zero and Graceland.
The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman —
Perry places "traditional" pilgrimage sites such as Mecca, Bethlehem and Amritsar alongside modern secular ones: Disneyland, Wembley, Ground Zero and Graceland.
The centerpiece of the exhibition is the "Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman," which features at its heart a flint axe -- "the tool that begat all tools."
The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman —
The centerpiece of the exhibition is the "Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman," which features at its heart a flint axe -- "the tool that begat all tools."
New and old line up alongside each other: Modern souvenir pins are displayed alongside ancient pilgrim badges.
The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman —
New and old line up alongside each other: Modern souvenir pins are displayed alongside ancient pilgrim badges.
Visitors who make the "pilgrimage" to the British Museum for the show -- which runs until February 2012 -- can take home their own Grayson Perry souvenirs.
The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman —
Visitors who make the "pilgrimage" to the British Museum for the show -- which runs until February 2012 -- can take home their own Grayson Perry souvenirs.