Tuner Prize winning potter, Grayson Perry is to curate an installation of his new works to sit alongside objects made by unknown men and women throughout history from the British Museum’s collection.

The BM writes that Perry will ‘take you to an afterlife conjured from his imaginary world, exploring a range of themes connected with notions of craftsmanship and sacred journeys – from shamanism, magic and holy relics to motorbikes, identity and contemporary culture.’

In a Guardian piece, Perry writes:

I was interested in what a museum such as the Met or the British Museum means, as a hub of learning, a world of wonder, a tourist magnet, a tool of cultural diplomacy, a site of pilgrimage, a place to take the kids on a wet bank holiday. I wanted to find out how the context of such an august institution affected the audience’s reaction to my art.

So I sent a proposal to Neil MacGregor, director of the British Museum. I suggested a show presenting my civilisation [a pre-existing Perry show]alongside objects I would select from the museum collection. I called my idea The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman, a title that could perhaps be applied to the whole museum because, after all, tombs are where a large proportion of the BM’s collection came from. I also wanted to celebrate the countless anonymous men and women who have crafted the marvels in the collection.

Grayson’s vases, covered in witty captions, elaborate tapestries and the centrepiece, a richly decorated cast iron coffin-ship, will be displayed alongside objects from the past two million years of culture and civilisation.

The show runs from October 6th – February 14th and I intend to head over as soon as I can. Find more information here.