A significant artwork by the celebrated British artist Sir Grayson Perry has found a permanent home in Scotland's national collection. National Galleries Scotland (NGS) has announced the permanent acquisition of Perry's monumental print, 'The American Dream', two years after it first captivated audiences in Edinburgh.
A Satirical Masterpiece Finds a Permanent Home
The etching, an impressive 239cm long, was a standout feature of the popular "Grayson Perry: Smash Hits" exhibition, which concluded in November 2023. Thanks to the support of NGS patrons, the work is now a permanent fixture at the Modern One gallery in Edinburgh, where the public can view it indefinitely.
The institution has described the piece as an "epic satirical statement on our current culture wars," a testament to Perry's unique and provocative artistic voice that blends humour with sharp social commentary.
The Inspiration Behind the Artwork
The Turner Prize-winning artist revealed that the print was conceived in the wake of his experiences filming the television series, "Grayson Perry’s Big American Road Trip." He explained that the work acts as a personal map of the United States, created in response to his travels.
"This is a map of the US I made in response to my experiences there," Sir Grayson stated. "It toys with the common delusion that there is a clear and certain route out of our mess of feelings." He also noted its stylistic inspiration, drawing from "Cold War propaganda maps from the 1950s," with Mark Zuckerberg positioned at its apex as the "best known face of social media power."
A Psychotherapist's View on Social Media Conflict
Delving deeper into the print's themes, Perry offered a fascinating insight into its critique of contemporary digital society. He suggested that the conflicts fuelled by social media can be understood through a therapeutic lens.
"When looking at the conflicts that swirl around social media, I find it illuminating to observe the scene like a psychotherapist might listen to a client," he said. Perry elaborated on this idea, noting, "When we experience a background hum of unfocused emotion, be it anxiety, sadness, fear, anger, we unconsciously look for something to attach it to. Social media is brilliant at supplying us with issues to which we can attach our free-floating feelings."
Completing Scotland's National Collection
Patrick Elliot, chief curator of modern and contemporary art at NGS, expressed his delight at securing the work for the nation. He confirmed that this acquisition fills a notable gap in Scotland's national holdings.
"We didn’t have a work of Perry’s in Scotland’s national collection, but it was something we had long considered," Elliot said. He praised the artist's work, describing Perry’s prints as "enormous, hilarious, full of biting satire and gorgeously coloured and detailed."
Elliot also highlighted the overwhelmingly positive public reaction during the work's initial exhibition. "The feedback we got from visitors to the exhibition was hugely positive. You could see them laughing out loud and engaging with strangers as they studied the pots and prints with their acutely observed comments on society."
This acquisition ensures that this significant work by an artist renowned for his journey from pottery evening classes to mainstream television fame will continue to provoke thought, discussion, and engagement for generations to come at Modern One.
