Working with people several times allows for a different approaches and opportunities. With some people, there may be a case of struggling to come up with new ideas, but in the case of Grayson and Philippa Perry that’s not a problem. They’re a consistently moving visual subject. Constantly evolving and always interesting. I say that having photographed Grayson Perry 8 times, Philippa Perry 4 times - oh, and their cat once.
In the true spirit of Corona lockdown, this shoot took place outdoors. Just outside Grayson’s studio in fact. All brick walls and little to hand that we could use as props. I had however brought my own little stash and was ready to roll. Grayson and Philippa were hosting the second part of the Lockdown Art program. A program that sees the couple talking to celebs about art, but also ask the public to enter their lockdown art. (More series to come).
My boys were given a book called “Boys who dare to be different” from their Auntie Emma for Christmas. It’s a lovely book that looks at people in history who have dared to stand out from what is considered the norm, and have excelled in what they have done. One of the people mentioned in this book is Grayson Perry. On the shoot I mentioned this to Grayson. On the request of my kids, I asked him if what was written in the book was true. The first comment from Grayson and Philippa in unison was “but I (Grayson) am not different.” It is a comment I should have seen coming from Grayson. I also agree to a certain degree, whilst completely understanding why he is in the afore mentioned book. Would Grayson have been mentioned in the book had he just done the art work and not dressed as Claire on occasions? Probably not. Does the book then put more emphasis on Grayson’s Claire than Grayson’s many art works? Maybe. But the truth is that Claire is in itself an art piece, and Claire, more so than the amazing ceramics and tapestry Grayson does, encourages young and old alike to be who they want to be, despite the norm that group pressure and society puts upon us.
I do enjoy photographing Grayson as Grayson, or Grayson as Claire just as much. I love photographing Philippa with her characteristic black and grey hair and unmistakable glasses. Together - they bounce off each other, like raindrops on a freshly impregnated coat, like a bouncy ball in a school playground, like best friends after a long time apart, like they are each every second word in a sentence that slots perfectly together to make complete sense.
I may not be considered the kind of friend that would call Philippa and Grayson to hang out and enjoy a glass of wine together, but when I’m on a shoot with them I feel very much like a friend.
Shot for Observer New Review
