![Sex, drags and pottery roll Sex, drags and pottery roll](https://cdn.magzter.com/1387284093/1689665674/articles/EmXPOZho91689748929222/SEX-DRAGS-AND-POTTERY-ROLL.jpg)
ONE of my favourite ever things was being COUNTRY LIFE’s page three!’ declares Sir Grayson Perry, the award-winning artist and television presenter who appeared on the Frontispiece in February 2020. ‘It now has pride of place in my loo.’ Leaning against a stone wall in tartan skirt, quilted jacket and headscarf, his alter-ego, Claire, looked quite at home in her rural setting. When I meet Sir Grayson at his studio in north London in June, however, he is in work mode, dressed in clay-smeared joggers and a neon-pink T-shirt. The only vestige of Claire is his immaculate set of sky-blue nails, evidence of her attendance at the Royal Academy of Arts Annual Dinner and Summer Exhibition earlier in the week. Yet country Claire is still on his mind, as she is currently being emblazoned on thousands of tins of shortbread in anticipation of his major exhibition ‘Smash Hits’, opening at the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh on July 22. ‘I always like lots of merch,’ he explains, as he dissolves into fits of laughter.
Denne historien er fra July 19, 2023-utgaven av Country Life UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra July 19, 2023-utgaven av Country Life UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
![A leap in the dark A leap in the dark](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5168/1991164/MlSXX3ma_1739562085464/A-LEAP-IN-THE-DARK.jpg)
A leap in the dark
The primal play of light and shadow, whether in Leonardo's ever-so-subtle sfumato or Caravaggio's dramatic contrasts, has shaped Western art, as Michael Hall reveals
![Beauty and the blimp Beauty and the blimp](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5168/1991164/gv9j1w8wu1739560850388/BEAUTY-AND-THE-BLIMP.jpg)
Beauty and the blimp
Inflammable airships may be gone, but a new hybrid aircraft, capable of delivering eco-friendly aviation, is set to take to the skies with a bang, finds Charles Harris
![Three wishes for food and farming Three wishes for food and farming](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5168/1991164/X8EDuKWRk1739559781334/THREE-WISHES-FOR-FOOD-AND-FARMING.jpg)
Three wishes for food and farming
Royal hedge planting, the terrible toll on Ukrainian farming and a maiden speech
![Seeing the wood for the trees Seeing the wood for the trees](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5168/1991164/CRJxOw4Lb1739561225985/SEEING-THE-WOOD-FOR-THE-TREES.jpg)
Seeing the wood for the trees
Scotland's much-evolved forestry industry has become a focus for clever investors
![Let's fall in love Let's fall in love](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5168/1991164/LyP0iF5AS1739560635238/LETS-FALL-IN-LOVE.jpg)
Let's fall in love
Birds do it, bees do it, even educated fleas do it. Laura Parker finds that, when it comes to creatures mating for life, persistence, patience and a little dad dancing are key to success
![Back from the dead Back from the dead](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5168/1991164/VCYePccJt1739559612168/BACK-FROM-THE-DEAD.jpg)
Back from the dead
THREE Wentworth elm saplings have been planted in the grounds of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, and on the Highgrove estate in Gloucestershire-29 years after what was thought to be the lastknown Wentworth elm died.
![A man among men A man among men](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5168/1991164/5G4e0xtkr1739560134707/A-MAN-AMONG-MEN.jpg)
A man among men
What makes a master? Beloved of the commercial art world, handled warily by art historians, the word has long been opaque. Michael Prodger investigates its many meanings-and discovers that being male confers an unfair advantage
![Unearth one of life's luxuries Unearth one of life's luxuries](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5168/1991164/g0VFXmbQ01739560954747/UNEARTH-ONE-OF-LIFES-LUXURIES.jpg)
Unearth one of life's luxuries
Black diamonds are a girl's best friend this Valentine's Day, with Périgord truffle-based skincare from TRUFFE
![Adventure awaits Adventure awaits](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5168/1991164/bd5vqEv8q1739560762061/ADVENTURE-AWAITS.jpg)
Adventure awaits
Spend an unforgettable family holiday on the Benmore Estate and experience some of Scotland's finest wildlife and sporting activities
![Let the art rule the head Let the art rule the head](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5168/1991164/GRcSfFn-k1739560460400/LET-THE-ART-RULE-THE-HEAD.jpg)
Let the art rule the head
Despite being a world leader in everything from jewellery to fashion and music, the UK is failing to nurture creativity at school and in regional centres. Tristram Hunt, director of the V&A Museum, calls for an urgent review