Key Points
- Exhibition Dates: The Museum of Croydon is hosting two large-scale tapestries by Sir Grayson Perry from 15 July to 19 September 2026.
- Featured Work: The display features pieces from The Essex House Tapestries: The Life of Julie Cope, a 2015 project by the Turner Prize-winning artist.
- Narrative Context: The works chronicle the fictional life of Julie Cope, serving as a tribute to the communities of Essex and exploring themes of modern British life.
- Collaboration: The tapestries, on loan from the Crafts Council, were originally created for a secular chapel in Wrabness, Essex, designed by Perry and FAT Architecture.
- Public Engagement: The exhibition has been met with positive local reception, with community members noting the work’s ability to reflect broader societal themes.
Croydon (Extra London News) July 17, 2026 – The Museum of Croydon has officially opened its doors to a significant new exhibition, welcoming two major works by the celebrated British artist Sir Grayson Perry. Running throughout the summer, the display of the artist’s large-scale tapestries offers residents and visitors a rare opportunity to engage with a work that serves as a poignant, vivid portrait of modern British life.
What are ‘The Essex House Tapestries: The Life of Julie Cope’?
The works currently on display are part of the acclaimed project The Essex House Tapestries: The Life of Julie Cope, which the 2003 Turner Prize winner developed in 2015. As detailed in the official release from the Croydon Council, these richly detailed textiles were originally conceived for a secular chapel in Wrabness, Essex, a structure designed by Perry in a collaboration with the firm FAT Architecture.
The tapestries function as a narrative tribute to the people and communities of Essex—the county where Perry grew up. They chart the life of the fictional character, Julie Cope, from her birth during the 1953 Canvey Island floods to her ultimate death in Colchester. Through intricate imagery, the pieces explore a wide array of human experiences, including personal ambitions, various setbacks, and the everyday reality of growing up and living in Britain.
How does Grayson Perry describe these works?
Grayson Perry has previously characterised these specific tapestries as a means to capture “the trials, tribulations, celebrations and mistakes of an average life”. According to information provided by the Museum of Croydon in relation to their current programming, the tapestries are considered an “incredible distillation of the beauty and mundanity of living”.
Why is this exhibition significant for the local community?
The presence of these works in the borough has garnered attention from local attendees. As reported by the Croydon Council newsroom, a local resident named Wamia Tasnim discovered the exhibition while visiting the library and expressed her appreciation for the artist’s storytelling technique.
“I hadn’t heard of Grayson Perry before, but I was in the library and saw the exhibition advertised. I’m really pleased I came into the museum to see it,”
said Ms Tasnim. She further noted, as quoted by the Council,
“I really like the artwork and how he uses the tapestry to tell a story. It tells the story of one person’s life, but it clearly reflects all of society. I like how he has used the shapes and colours so well. It’s really great to have this artwork on display in Croydon”.
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What is the role of the Crafts Council in this exhibition?
The tapestries are currently on loan from the Crafts Council, an organisation dedicated to promoting contemporary craft. Deborah Ridley, the Senior Curator of Collections at the Crafts Council, emphasised the importance of bringing these pieces to a wider audience.
As stated by Ms Ridley of the Crafts Council, “We’re delighted to support the loan of Grayson Perry’s tapestry series to Croydon, giving more people the opportunity to experience these remarkable works.” She added that, “As part of the Crafts Council Collection, the tapestries are an important example of contemporary craft engaging with questions of identity, community and everyday life. Making works like these accessible to audiences across the UK is central to our mission, and we’re pleased to work in partnership with Croydon to bring them to new and existing audiences”.
What additional events are accompanying the exhibition?
The exhibition is being celebrated with supplemental programming at the Museum of Croydon. In a collaboration between the museum and the collective Storytime London, a “Live Storytelling Night” is scheduled for 13 August 2026. This evening event will feature music and stories inspired by the themes present in the Julie Cope tapestries, hosted by Storytime members Kofi Achina and Adam RW.
The exhibition remains open to the public on the first level of the museum, with visiting hours scheduled from Wednesday to Saturday, 10:00 am to 4:30 pm, providing a central cultural anchor for the Croydon community through the remainder of the summer season.
