Grayson Perry arrives in York and the city is ‘buzzing’
Bringing a splurge of colour to an overcast York day, the Turner Prize winning artist Grayson Perry declared: “I am only here supporting Alan Measles”.
The potter, dressed as his female alter ego Claire, posed for photographs in and out of the Yorkshire Museum and joked with the crowd who gathered to see him.
Clutching his teddy bear Alan Measles, Grayson was in York on Thursday (May 15) as part of the Museums At Night programme.
Brought here by a public vote, he was set to launch a night of bear themed events at the Museum.
Wearing a colourful floral frock, orange tights and lime green platforms, and carrying a shiny blue handbag, Grayson told the photographers he was happy that the sun had gone in. “Heat is the enemy of drag,” he said.
As he posed for pictures, he joked: “I’ll put my legs together – I don’t want my thigh gap showing…”
Referring to Alan Measles, Grayson said: “He very rarely ventures out. But I thought as he’s getting the whole thing dedicated to him I’d better make the effort.
“I took him to a school and the children were distinctly unimpressed. They were only five.”
Click on the images for a closer look
Grayson and Alan posed for photographs with students of York College. They have been busy making their own bears as part of the event.
“The college is buzzing about this. We’re so excited,” said Helen Ventress, head of art, design and craft at the college.
Among the students was Sarah Schiewe, who has done her dissertation on Grayson, looking at the difference between the beauty of his pots and the often dark subject matter they depict.
The students were joining Grayson for tea at the Hospitium in Museum Gardens later in the evening.
- See all our Grayson Perry stories here
- Read more about art here