The Discombobulated Brexiteer (2016.17)

Catalogue Record

Collection

Maker

John Grayson

Title

The Discombobulated Brexiteer

Date

2016

Description

An automata made using vitreous enamel and a combination of analogue and digital parts.

Commissioned for the Crafts Council Touring Exhibition, A Curious Turn: moving, mechanical sculpture, this object questions the trustworthiness of people in public office whose judgement can be influenced. The objectillustrates a contemporary approach to using moving sculpture to comment satirically on society. It also shows the maker’s recent change of inspirations for his work, from 19th century tinplate toys and the folk-toy tradition to the Georgian enamelling process and the example of traditional refined 18th century automata. This work is also inspired by the maker’s residency at Kings College London within the faculty of Natural and Mathematical Science under the Crafts Council Parallel Practices programme.

Object number

2016.17

Category

Credit

Acquisition of 'The Discombobulated Brexiteer’ (2016) funded by a donation from Nicholas and Judith Goodison. Commissioned by the Crafts Council.
  • The Discombobulated Brexiteer, John Grayson, 2016. Crafts Council Collection, 2016.17. Photo: Iona Wolff.

    The Discombobulated Brexiteer, John Grayson, 2016. Crafts Council Collection, 2016.17. Photo: Iona Wolff.

  • The Discombobulated Brexiteer, John Grayson, 2016, displayed as part of the Crafts Council touring exhibition A Curious Turn: moving, mechanical sculpture, at Platform Gallery, Habitat, London 2016. Photo: Iona Wolff.

  • John Grayson explaning his work 'The Discombobulated Brexiteer' in the Crafts Council touring exhibition A Curious Turn: moving, mechanical sculpture private view at Platform Gallery, Habitat, London in 2016. Photo: Iona Wolff.

    John Grayson explaning his work 'The Discombobulated Brexiteer' in the Crafts Council touring exhibition A Curious Turn: moving, mechanical sculpture private view at Platform Gallery, Habitat, London in 2016. Photo: Iona Wolff.

Related documents

The Discombobulated Brexiteer, John Grayson, 2016, Crafts Council Collection: 2016.17. Film by Video in Common.
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Maker's statement

While this piece charted the political events in the UK at the time, it also charted my development as a maker. Through the Parallel Practice programme funded by Kings College and the Crafts Council, I was able to resurrect 18th century vitreous enamel making techniques combined with digital technology. This was the first piece known to apply both techniques together and I am supremely proud to have been commissioned by the Crafts Council to do it. As a maker and an educator, there is real value in the piece today for these reasons.