40 Objects for 40 Years
Claire’s Coming Out Dress (2000) – Grayson Perry
A Sense of Occasion Touring Exhibition
Grayson Perry made and wore this dress for his alter-ego Claire’s coming out ceremony and party. It was co-commissioned through the Contemporary Art Society collecting scheme by Craftspace and Nottingham Castle: Museums & Galleries for our touring exhibition ‘A Sense of Occasion.’
The exhibition highlighted occasions that were marginalised or hidden. You couldn’t buy a coming out card for someone in those days. Through the dress, Grayson explored themes of identity and gender.
Craftspace has always ‘filled the gaps’ and created space for underrepresented cultures and people.
This was our current Director’s first curatorial contribution to Craftspace’s artistic programme & reflected her lived experience as well as leadership as a Queer South Asian person.
Nominated by:
Deirdre F, our Director and Lisa, our Marketing Manager.
To celebrate Craftspace’s 40th Anniversary, we commissioned the artist Stewart Francis Easton to create an artwork which would explore the story of Craftspace through 40 objects. Stewart created a series of four beautiful graphic quilts.
