Sir Grayson Perry’s Early Work Debuts at Portsmouth’s Centenary Exhibition

A rare early piece by Sir Grayson Perry, titled *The Extremes of English Mediocrity*, will be on display as part of Portsmouth’s 100‑year celebration. Created in 1986, four years after Perry graduated from Portsmouth Polytechnic with a fine‑art degree, the work marks the first time the artist’s studio ceramics have entered the city’s collection.

The exhibition, free to the public, opened on 26 October at the Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery. It spans three galleries and 20 themed sections that explore football, music, transport, art and the historic dockyard. In addition to Perry’s piece, the show features a painting donated by Portsmouth‑born artist Sir Christopher Le Brun, who has a gallery named in his honour.

Council leader Steve Pitt welcomed the acquisition, noting the artist’s strong ties to the city. He thanked the museums team and the Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund and Art Fund for their support.

The centenary programme includes live music, fireworks and a sculpture trail, running throughout 2026 to mark the city’s 100th anniversary.

To see the exhibition, visitors can visit the Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery during its opening hours. The free event is part of the broader Portsmouth 100 celebration, which also features other cultural activities across the city.