Best Grayson Perry books: 5 fascinating reads for Perry fans
- maxwell museums
- Jan 3, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 22
Grayson Perry's books are the best way to dive deeper into his art and mind.
And as the Turner Prize-winner is a prolific artist, it also means there are plenty of Grayson Perry books you can read as well. Some of them are penned by him, while others are about his work and career.
So if you’ve been a long-time Perry fan — or if you’re newly won over after his birthday exhibition at the Wallace Collection in London, or his 2026 exhibition at the Royal Albert Memorial
Museum in Exeter — then read on to find my pick of best Grayson Perry books to read, or gift for a loved one.
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The remarkable story of Perry’s upbringing offers a candid glimpse into his formative years and how they went on to shape the things to come. Written using taped interviews with friend Wendy Jones who he met at a therapy centre, the memoir charts his journey from a turbulent childhood in working-class Essex to his discovery of art and cross-dressing.
Perry reflects on themes of identity, creativity, and self-acceptance with unflinching honesty, often blending humour with moments of vulnerability. For fans of Perry, this book provides a grounded exploration of the man behind the tapestries and ceramics.
📚 Ready to read? Buy Portrait Of The Artist As A Young Girl
Perry’s witty and accessible guide to navigating the perplexing world of contemporary art was described as a “manifesto” when reviewed by the Observer newspaper.
Drawing on his turn giving the annual Reith lectures for the BBC, Perry demystifies the art world, tackling questions like “What counts as art?” and “How do we judge quality?” With humour and sharp insight, he dismantles pretension while championing creativity in all its forms. A must-read for anyone that wants to enjoy art more by filtering out the noise.
Published to accompany the biggest Perry exhibition ever staged so far (at the National in Edinburgh in 2023), the beautifully illustrated book offers a personal and vibrant insight into his career.
Showcasing 75 of Perry’s works — including new pieces published for the first time — it covers the full range and breadth of his output, from ceramics and sculptures, to prints and tapestries. Artworks are reproduced in vivid colour, accompanied by Perry's own insights. And as a special bonus, there’s an essay by presenter and writer Victoria Coren Mitchell who gives a thought-provoking consideration of the role of humour in Perry’s art.
Author Matt Haig says this book “makes you see our male-manufactured world a little differently.” The Descent of Man is Perry’s critical examination of contemporary masculinity, and his exploration of how traditional male roles can be restrictive and detrimental.
Drawing from personal experiences and societal observations, Perry advocates for a more inclusive and flexible understanding of manhood, encouraging men to embrace vulnerability and emotional expression. America’s NPR praised it as “funny, engaging, and at times penetrating.”
This exhibition — and its accompanying book — is arguably what catapulted Grayson Perry into the mainstream. Opened at the British Museum in 2011, The Tomb of Unknown Craftsman was a huge hit, and saw Perry's artworks displayed alongside ancient treasures from the museum's collection.
This lavishly illustrated catalogue tells the story of the show, and Sir Grayson's celebration of the work of anonymous craftsmen and women over the centuries. This is a book for Perry fans who want to re-live one of his most talked-about and most-loved exhibitions.
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