Grayson Perry and the Golden Lane Art Class.

On 24th July 2025

I visited two quite different art exhibitions over the last few weeks – here’s my report on both.

Grayson Perry: Delusions of Grandeur consists of new works by Sir Grayson Perry (b. 1960) at the Wallace Collection in London. The exhibition, which is the largest contemporary show ever held at the museum, features over 40 new pieces, including ceramics, tapestries and works on paper, displayed alongside some of the Wallace Collection’s masterpieces. The exhibition runs from March 28 to October 26, 2025 …

It delves into themes of authenticity, the role of the artist, and the gendering of decoration. The exhibition includes works by ‘outsider artists’ Aloïse Corbaz and Madge Gill, inspired by Perry’s discovery that Gill exhibited at the Wallace Collection in 1942, and Perry’s own childhood experiences.

Aloïse Corbaz (1886-1964) …

Madge Gill (1882-1961) …

Gill at her home in Wast Ham 19th August 1947 …

A key element of the exhibition is the imaginary character Shirley Smith, a self-taught artist from the East End of London, who believed herself to be the ‘thwarted legitimate heiress’ to the Wallace Collection …

Perry uses Shirley Smith as a vehicle to explore the themes of identity, social class, and the perception of grandeur. The exhibition also features a playful commentary on the nature of making and collecting art, with a focus on the artist’s role and the audience’s perception of art.

You can listen to and watch Sir Grayson talking about the exhibition here (highly recommended). Also, here’s a review you might find interesting.

There are two works by Corbaz, whose paintings and murals were often developed by the artist in partnership with a young doctor at a Swiss psychiatric clinic. Corbaz was being treated for Schizophrenia …