July is turning into a my culture month ahead of the festival landing – went to see the Grayson Perry retrospective at the National Galleries of Scotland, Edinburgh yesterday with my mommy.

Putting aside the terrible choice of venue, the National Galleries of Scotland is a beautiful and prestigious institution, but it is not necessarily the best place to show work that is as subversive and challenging as Perry’s. I think the Gallery of Modern Art would have been a more natural home for this exhibition.

In his retrospective at the National Galleries of Scotland (Royal Scottish Academy), Grayson Perry reveals a synthesis of his true self and aspirations. In his artwork, “Reclining Artist,” Perry presents a fantasy version of himself, embracing both masculine and feminine qualities. This 2017 vision is an authentic and captivating work, as he gazes seriously at the viewer, breaking away from his familiar blokey persona.

Perry’s undeniable talent in creating detailed images is apparent, yet some of his works suffer from clutter and symbolism overload. For instance, his childhood teddy bear, Alan Measles, seems to occupy an excessive presence in his art, losing some of its symbolic power over time. Nevertheless, Perry playfully portrays his attachment to Alan Measles, making it a self-aware parody rather than a monomania. Perry is not afraid to experiment and to push the boundaries of what we expect from art. He is constantly trying new things, and sometimes this results in works that are not entirely successful. But even when his work is flawed, it is always thought-provoking and engaging.

The exhibition’s theme revolves around Englishness, but Perry’s meditations on national identity lack the depth of George Orwell’s analyses. Despite this, his artwork, “Comfort Blanket,” humorously highlights some aspects of inclusive Englishness, which may resonate with Brexiteers too.

While Perry’s understanding of the English middle class is evident, some of his works lack passion and courage, leaning towards flippancy and satire. Despite his prolific career, he occasionally veers into the territory of whimsy and empty quotation. Nevertheless, Perry has become popular and beloved by sharing the English middle class’s ambivalence towards art, appealing to the national prejudice against those who take themselves too seriously.

In conclusion, Grayson Perry’s art embodies a blend of whimsy and satire, reflecting his exploration of ‘identity’ and Englishness. While some of his works may be perceived as lacking depth, they resonate with audiences who appreciate his humorous and self-conscious approach. As an artist, Perry’s journey continues to provoke thought and laughter, making him a distinctive figure in modern British art.

“It’s not like learning to play the violin, where you can be demonstrably talented at a young age. With art, you really need to find your own voice and that takes a while. Actually, it’s a marathon – and if you are eventually original, you’re lucky.”

Grayson Perry