Grayson Perry’s grand illusions at the Wallace Collection

The Wallace Collection is set to host its largest contemporary exhibition to date with Grayson Perry: Delusions of Grandeur, running from March 28th to October 26th, 2025. Featuring over 40 new works, the show presents a bold exploration of craft, identity, and artistic authenticity through ceramics, tapestries, and works on paper. Perry’s creations will be displayed alongside the museum’s historic masterpieces, highlighting the connections between past and present.

At the heart of the exhibition is Perry’s fascination with the contrast between traditional craftsmanship and digital technology. Intricately handmade objects are juxtaposed with AI-generated pieces, prompting questions about the nature of artistic labor and the pursuit of perfection. One standout work, The Story of My Life, reimagines figures from Wallace Collection paintings in a dreamlike tapestry that fuses Rococo elegance with psychedelic digital distortions.

The exhibition also introduces Shirley Smith, Perry’s fictional alter ego—an East End woman who, after a mental health crisis, believes herself to be the rightful heir to the Wallace Collection. Through this character, Perry examines themes of class, gender, and the blurred lines between history and fiction. Adding to the dialogue on outsider art, the show includes works by Aloïse Corbaz and Madge Gill, whose unconventional approaches inspired Perry’s reflections on artistic expression.

Marking the artist’s 65th birthday, Delusions of Grandeur is a richly layered commentary on art, identity, and cultural hierarchy. With its mix of satire, historical reference, and cutting-edge techniques, the exhibition reaffirms Perry’s place as one of Britain’s most thought-provoking artists.