This tapestry by Grayson Perry is about subjects that most people can relate to on different levels. The grand title The Annunciation of the Virgin Deal is a bit of a play on words, referencing art history as well as popular culture. The tapestry itself is flamboyant, funny and clever with visual clues signifying class, taste and lifestyle choices that are carefully selected to tell the story of fictional character Tim Rakewell’s life.
Perry himself describes the image in the following way, explaining the overt and hidden symbolism woven into the design.
“Tim is relaxing with his family in the kitchen of his large, rural second home.
His business partner has now told him he is an extremely wealthy man as they have just sold their software business to Richard Branson.
On the table is a still life demonstrating the cultural bounty of his affluent lifestyle.
To the left his parents in-law read and his elder child plays on the rug.
To the right, Tim dandles his baby while his wife tweets.
This image includes references to three different historical paintings of The Annunciation by:
Carlo Crivelli (the vegetables on the table), Matthias Grünewald (expression on the angel) and Robert Campin (jug of lilies on the table).
The convex mirror and discarded shoes are reminders of that great pictorial display of wealth and status The Arnolfini Portrait of 1434 by Jan van Eyck.”
Hear Grayson Perry describing the tapestry on this video from the Arts Council Collection.
The more you look, the more you see clever little details such as the mugs with ‘Class Traitor’ and ‘Knowing Laughter’ on them and the iPad with the news about the Richard Branson deal on it. This all comes even more vividly to life, when you see the tapestry in person. The colours and textures sing when viewed up close.
Come and see it in the unique setting of Blackwell
In the video below you can get a feel of the artwork in-situ at Blackwell. Our Curator Naomi Gariff shares insights about the piece as well as rest of the tapestries that form part of the series The Vanity of Small Differences.
You can see this large tapestry created by Turner Prize winning artist Grayson Perry as part of our wider exhibition Class, Covid & Cumbria at Blackwell – the Arts & Crafts house.
Book your tickets
You can book tickets via our website to see this fabulous exhibition which is on until 27 February 2022 or call 01539 637940
The Vanity of Small Differences, 2012, is kindly on loan to Lakeland Arts for this exhibition from the Currell Collection.
