50 Quotes by Grayson Perry


  • Author Grayson Perry
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    Fulfilment of masculinity is often sold on the strength of peak experiences: winning battles, pulling women, pure adrenaline, moments of ecstasy. But life ain’t like that. We rarely, if ever, take our car (masculinity) on to a racetrack, so maybe we need a version that works doing the everyday things. We need a masculinity that’s easy to park, with a big boot, child seats and low fuel consumption. Men need to learn to equip themselves for peace.

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  • Author Grayson Perry
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    Since 1960s pop art the art world has been happy for artists to use the lowbrow to add zest and authenticity to their works. But middlebrow has resonances of the suburban bourgeousie who might see art as aspirational by association.

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  • Author Grayson Perry
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    When discussing manliness, the elephant in the room was not homophobia but perhaps a fear of appearing gay. This fear runs like an electric fence around the territory that is acceptably masculine. This is somewhat ironic, as the Department of Masculinity’s long-running propaganda campaign for Traditional Manhood may look a lot like a Village People-themed costume party.

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  • Author Grayson Perry
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    Before we learn to speak or understand language, we are being indoctrinated in gender. The first question most people ask when they hear of a birth is ‘Is it a boy or a girl?

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  • Author Grayson Perry
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    ISIS is not breeding killers, it is just appealing to disaffected young men seeking a place where their anger, alienation and ideals of manhood seem to fit.

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  • Author Grayson Perry
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    Having a penis can be like having an illusory prize dangled in front of you. It symbolizes a historical birthright to power, respect and pride.

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  • Author Grayson Perry
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    The Default Male gaze does not just dominate cinema, it looks down on society like the Eye of Sauron in The Lord of the Rings. Every other identity group is ‘othered’ by it.

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