Sir Grayson Perry reflects on his traumatic childhood, his journey as an artist, and the advice he would give his younger self. The podcast delves into rebellion, identity politics, creativity, and the significance of intuition in personal growth.
Being creative was rooted in playfulness and imagination, but fame led to self-consciousness about audience perception.
Therapy in his late 30s allowed self-reflection, clarifying his worldview and enhancing creative work.
Deep dives
Creativity and Self-Consciousness
Being creative was a natural and joyful experience for the artist, rooted in playfulness and imagination. However, as fame and recognition grew, self-consciousness increased, leading to a sense of awareness about audience perception in every creative endeavor.
Therapy and Self-Reflection
Embarking on therapy in his late 30s, the artist delved into deep self-reflection, cleaning out emotional baggage and gaining more clarity about his worldview. Therapy helped him understand and challenge the distortions in his perception, leading to a clearer vision of the world and enhancing his creative work.
Embracing Intuition and Trusting Oneself
Encouraging young people to trust their intuition, the artist acknowledged the importance of listening to a fundamental inner knowing, even in the face of external doubts or uncertainties. Reflecting on his own childhood experiences, he recognized the value of honoring that innate sense of what feels right.
Childhood Trauma and Emotional Impact
Childhood experiences of emotional neglect, parental absence, and societal upheaval left deep emotional imprints that continue to resonate in adulthood. Moments of emotional vulnerability, triggered by external stimuli, serve as poignant reminders of past trauma and the lasting impact on personal well-being.
Kirsty Young talks to the artist Sir Grayson Perry about what he’s learned from his life so far. Once cross-dressing punk rebel, now ennobled member of the British establishment, Grayson Perry’s extraordinary life has given him plenty of material to inspire his art. He reflects on how his traumatic childhood resulted in him retreating into a rich fantasy world and considers whether he would have been given the freedom to explore it artistically had he been starting out today.
If you could have a conversation with your younger self, what would you tell them? In Young Again Kirsty takes her guests back to the pivotal moments in their lives. Reflecting on what they wish they’d known at the time, and what they’ve learned along the way, she discovers the honest – and surprising – advice they’d give their younger selves.
Producer: Laura Northedge
Content Editor: Richard Hooper
Executive Editor: Alice Feinstein
Senior Technical Producer: Duncan Hannant
Presenter: Kirsty Young
A BBC Audio Production
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