Grayson’s Art Club: Guest line-up revealed
David Farnor | On 25, Apr 2020
Grayson’s Art Club launches this Monday at 8pm on Channel 4, aiming to give audiences in lockdown an escape through art. The show includes master classes, top tips on how to get started with art, inspiration to get creative juices flowing and a host of celebrity guests.
The series will culminate with artwork made in isolation from members of the public and celebrities alike, that will then form the basis of an exhibition chronicling Britain’s mood and creativeness in isolation. Grayson will also reveal the story of Alan Measles, his childhood teddy bear, and the source of inspiration for much of his art. He will be making a sculptured figure of Alan, following his progress throughout the series. The finished sculpture will then be displayed in the final exhibition after the lockdown ends.
Each episode of Art Club will be themed, and Grayson is asking members of the public to send in artwork responding to each theme. The guests will also be creating art in keeping with the week’s theme, and Grayson will speak to a high-profile artist each episode to find out what they have been inspired to create during the coronavirus period.
You can submit your own artwork here. Here’s the line-up:
Episode 1 (Joe Lycett) – 27th April
The theme of this episode is portraits, whether that’s a member of your family/housemate you’re isolating with, friends, neighbours or a celebrity portrait drawn from a photo. Comedian Joe Lycett will be joining Grayson to reveal a portrait he has created whilst in lockdown. Artist Chantal Joffe will join Grayson and give insights into her paintings.
Episode 2 (Harry Hill) – 4th May
The theme is animals this could be pets, exotic animals, the bird that lands outside your window every day. Grayson will be joined by Harry Hill who explains the inspiring story behind his animal artwork creation. Maggi Hambling CBE a British painter and sculptor will be talking with Grayson about her artistic practice and creating work during lockdown.
Episode 3 (Jessica Hynes) – 11th May
Fantasy is the theme and for this one, and anything goes. It could be a scene of the first thing you’re dreaming of doing when lockdown lifts or an abstract creation. Actress Jessica Hynes will show her fantasy design and British sculptor Sir Antony Gormley (particularly famous for his Angel of the North sculpture) will be sharing his artistic insight with Grayson.
Episode 4 (Vic Reeves) – 18th May
The theme is view from my window, which could be from the top of a tower block, your kitchen window, bathroom window, or the windows you pass filled with rainbows on your morning run. Joining Grayson is Jim Moir comedian, artist, actor and television presenter, best known for his double act with Bob Mortimer as Vic Reeves, he will be sharing his artistic impression of the view from his window. British visual artist Tacita Dean will also join Grayson to reveal what she has been inspired by during this most unusual time.
Channel 4 opens Grayson’s Art Club this April
7th April 2020
Channel 4 will be opening up Grayson’s Art Club this April with a new series designed to teach the public drawing and painting skills during the coronavirus lockdown.
Grayson Perry, one of Britain’s leading artists, will unleash our collective creativity and unite the nation through art with a new show streamed straight from his studio. Grayson will talk to other famous artists, creatives and celebrity guests about how they are spending their time in isolation and host masterclasses to help teach us all how to create art. Each episode will be themed with something inspired by being in isolation, such as still life or portraits.
Grayson said: “I look forward to inviting the nation into my studio for Grayson’s Art Club. This series will be as much an act of spontaneous creativity as the stuff that usually happens here. I hope we can make something uplifting in response to the crisis. I will be showing you the progress of the artworks I am making in these strange days, but I am most excited about seeing what artistic creations people all over the country have been up to in lockdown and talking to other artists about how they are dealing with the weirdness. It should be inspiring, fun, full of helpful tips to get the nation making art- and maybe a bit poignant.”
You can send in artwork you have been creating in isolation and each episode Grayson will choose some of his favourites and speak to their creators via video call. At the end of the show, Grayson will display the art created in a public exhibition that will chronicle the changing moods of Britain in isolation and provide a record of the historic times we’ve lived through.
Grayson’s Art Club will air weekly on Channel 4 at 8pm from Thursday 16th April.