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Grayson Perry's 'The Most Popular Art Exhibition Ever' goes on display at London's Serpentine
POSTED 09 Jun 2017 . BY Tom Anstey
The exhibitions examines how contemporary art can best address a diverse cross section of society Credit: 2017 Robert Glowacki
London’s Serpentine Gallery has opened a new exhibition by British contemporary artist Grayson Perry dubbed The Most Popular Art Exhibition Ever, touching on themes including popularity and art, masculinity, and the current cultural landscape.

Tackling the issue of how contemporary art can best address a diverse cross section of society, the exhibition was featured on a recent Channel 4 documentary Grayson Perry: Divided Britain, which followed the artist as he created new work for the show.

Speaking to the public about the state of Britain following the EU referendum vote, Perry polled the British public on social media, inviting them to contribute ideas, images and phrases to cover the surface of two enormous new pots: one for people who voted to leave the EU and one for people who voted to remain. The pots, titled Matching Pair, are now on display as part of the exhibition.

“I am in the communication business and I want to communicate to as wide an audience as possible,” said Perry. “Nothing pleases me more than meeting someone at one of my exhibitions from what museum people call ‘a nontraditional background.’ The new works I am making all have ideas about popularity hovering around them. What kind of art do people like? What subjects? Why do people like going to art galleries these days? What is the relationship of traditional art to social media?”

Taking place between 8 June and 10 September 2017, the Perry exhibition debuts ahead of the launch of this year’s Serpentine Pavilion in Kensington Gardens, which opens on 23 June and has been designed by award-winning Burkino Faso architect Diébédo Francis Kéré.
'Grayson Perry: Divided Britain' followed the artist as he created new work for the show Credit: 2017 Robert Glowacki
The temporary exhibitions takes place during the Serpentine’s popular summer season Credit: 2017 Robert Glowacki
RELATED STORIES
  Diébédo Francis Kéré wins 2017 Serpentine Pavilion commission with responsive tree-inspired design


Diébédo Francis Kéré, the award-winning architect from Burkino Faso, has been commissioned to design the Serpentine Pavilion 2017.
  Serpentine launches Hadid retrospective and announces Adjaye and Rogers will help choose 2017 Pavilion


The new leadership of London's Serpentine Galleries have announced they are expanding the art museums’ famous pavilion programme and launching a Zaha Hadid exhibition focusing on the late architect’s design notebooks.
  Visitors fell in love with modern British art & design in 2012 according to visitor figures issued by ALVA


British Art & Design was hugely popular, with Grayson Perry: The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman helping the British Museum remain the most popular visitor attraction for the 6th year running.
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NEWS
Grayson Perry's 'The Most Popular Art Exhibition Ever' goes on display at London's Serpentine
POSTED 09 Jun 2017 . BY Tom Anstey
The exhibitions examines how contemporary art can best address a diverse cross section of society Credit: 2017 Robert Glowacki
London’s Serpentine Gallery has opened a new exhibition by British contemporary artist Grayson Perry dubbed The Most Popular Art Exhibition Ever, touching on themes including popularity and art, masculinity, and the current cultural landscape.

Tackling the issue of how contemporary art can best address a diverse cross section of society, the exhibition was featured on a recent Channel 4 documentary Grayson Perry: Divided Britain, which followed the artist as he created new work for the show.

Speaking to the public about the state of Britain following the EU referendum vote, Perry polled the British public on social media, inviting them to contribute ideas, images and phrases to cover the surface of two enormous new pots: one for people who voted to leave the EU and one for people who voted to remain. The pots, titled Matching Pair, are now on display as part of the exhibition.

“I am in the communication business and I want to communicate to as wide an audience as possible,” said Perry. “Nothing pleases me more than meeting someone at one of my exhibitions from what museum people call ‘a nontraditional background.’ The new works I am making all have ideas about popularity hovering around them. What kind of art do people like? What subjects? Why do people like going to art galleries these days? What is the relationship of traditional art to social media?”

Taking place between 8 June and 10 September 2017, the Perry exhibition debuts ahead of the launch of this year’s Serpentine Pavilion in Kensington Gardens, which opens on 23 June and has been designed by award-winning Burkino Faso architect Diébédo Francis Kéré.
'Grayson Perry: Divided Britain' followed the artist as he created new work for the show Credit: 2017 Robert Glowacki
The temporary exhibitions takes place during the Serpentine’s popular summer season Credit: 2017 Robert Glowacki
RELATED STORIES
Diébédo Francis Kéré wins 2017 Serpentine Pavilion commission with responsive tree-inspired design


Diébédo Francis Kéré, the award-winning architect from Burkino Faso, has been commissioned to design the Serpentine Pavilion 2017.
Serpentine launches Hadid retrospective and announces Adjaye and Rogers will help choose 2017 Pavilion


The new leadership of London's Serpentine Galleries have announced they are expanding the art museums’ famous pavilion programme and launching a Zaha Hadid exhibition focusing on the late architect’s design notebooks.
Visitors fell in love with modern British art & design in 2012 according to visitor figures issued by ALVA


British Art & Design was hugely popular, with Grayson Perry: The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman helping the British Museum remain the most popular visitor attraction for the 6th year running.
MORE NEWS
Jessica Sloyan establishes UK Academy of Sound and Therapeutic Arts
Jessica Sloyan, a wellness operations and training expert, has established an independent private training academy to provide professional qualifications for practitioners looking to offer immersive wellness experiences.
ISPA releases full 2026 US Spa Industry Study as annual industry revenue rises by US$1bn
The International Spa Association (ISPA) has published its full 2026 US Spa Industry Study, providing further insights into the region’s total US$1 billion (€855 million, £780 million) industry revenue increase from 2024 to 2025.
Hot spring wellness community Ameyalli sells residences and breaks ground on resort and spa
Ameyalli, the 78-acre wellbeing resort and residential community in Midway in Utah, US, has broken ground on phase two of the hot spring development – the Ameyalli Resort and Spa – which is due to open in 2028.
AI firm Midjourney enters wellness with spa, fitness and body scanning concept
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ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

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Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

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