Potter takes Turner
A ‘cross-dressing potter’ has landed Britain’s most controversial art prize, The Turner Prize.
Grayson Perry, a 43-year old transvestite, took home the £20,000 booty last night at a ceremony at Tate Britain in London, dressed as his alter ego Claire.
He beat off stiff competition from the Saatchi-backed Chapman brothers, who were odds on to win the prize and Irish video artist Willie Doherty.
Mr Perry is best known for his classically shaped vases, which he paints with figures, patterns and text.
In his work he recollects his past, portraying autobiographical images of himself, Claire and his family.
Mr Perry explores the complex dynamic between beauty and ideology. I Was An Angry Working Class Man (2001) presents images of motorbikes, pub signs and other images of manhood, and in We’ve Found The Body Of Your Child (2000) he portrays the horror of child abuse within the home.
The jury said they were interested in the use of ceramics and drawing and his reflections on “personal and social concerns.”
