Back in February, I spent a wonderful day in Exeter with two good friends, Sally and Kim, celebrating Kim's birthday with a visit to the Grayson Perry exhibition at Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery RAMM in Exeter. As an interior designer, I am naturally drawn to colour, pattern, texture and craftsmanship, so I was curious to see Perry's work up close. What I didn't expect was how much the exhibition would remind me that creativity often comes from paying attention to the details we might otherwise overlook.

From monumental tapestries and intricate etchings to maps filled with stories, symbols and personal reflections, every piece seemed to reward a closer look. Months later, I still find myself thinking about the exhibition, not just because of the artwork itself, but because of what it revealed about observation, curiosity and the creative process.

Before heading into the museum, Sally and I were sitting in a café opposite, enjoying a coffee while waiting for Kim to arrive. Sally took a quick photograph of our table – a collection of coffee cups, art materials, a small plant and the everyday clutter that accompanies a catch-up with friends.

At the time it seemed completely unremarkable.

It wasn't until later that the photograph became something rather special. Inspired by our day, Sally transformed the image into a colourful sketch full of energy, pattern and detail. Looking at it now, it perfectly captures the spirit of the exhibition we were about to see – finding beauty, creativity and meaning in ordinary moments.

And that, in many ways, is exactly what Grayson Perry's work does.

First Impressions

The exhibition was impossible to ignore from the moment we stepped inside. Monumental tapestries filled entire walls, their scale alone demanding attention. Yet what struck me most wasn't their size but their detail.

From across the room, the works appeared bold, colourful and almost playful. As you moved closer, thousands of tiny details began to reveal themselves. Every surface seemed packed with stories, observations, humour and symbolism.

I found myself repeatedly stepping backwards and forwards – standing back to admire the overall composition before moving closer to examine the incredible craftsmanship.

As an interior designer, I was fascinated by the textiles.

One piece that particularly fascinated me was Perry's large life map etching. Unlike many artworks that reveal themselves immediately, this was a piece that demanded patience. In fact, it was almost impossible to get a clear view because there was always a crowd gathered around it. Rather than being frustrating, it felt entirely appropriate. Everyone seemed drawn in by the same desire to discover what was hidden within the image.

From a distance it appeared to be a striking blue-and-white composition, but as you moved closer an extraordinary world began to emerge. Tiny buildings, winding pathways, personal memories, fears, ambitions, observations and fragments of Perry's life unfolded across the surface. Every time I thought I had seen everything, another detail appeared.

I found myself wondering how many hours must have gone into creating it. Not just the technical skill required to draw something so intricate, but the thought process behind deciding what parts of a life, a personality and an imagination should be included. It felt less like looking at a picture and more like exploring someone's mind.

Even now, looking back at the photographs, I can see details I missed on the day.

Textiles on an Extraordinary Scale

Much of my working life revolves around fabrics, curtains, cushions and the way colour and texture can transform a room. Perry's tapestries felt like an extension of that world, only on a monumental scale.

The close-up details were extraordinary. Looking at the woven surfaces, you could see how layers of colour had been combined to create depth and movement. What appeared to be a simple shade from a distance was actually made up of countless threads working together.

The floral fabrics, rich colours and intricate patterns particularly caught my eye. There were moments when I found myself studying a section of tapestry in exactly the same way I would examine a beautiful furnishing fabric sample.

It reminded me that great design often rewards a closer look.

Colour Without Fear

One of the things I admired most throughout the exhibition was Perry's confidence with colour.

Turquoise sat alongside deep burgundy. Mustard yellow appeared next to vibrant pinks and oranges. Floral patterns collided with graphic shapes and detailed line drawings.

Yet somehow everything felt balanced.

As designers, we often help clients feel more confident using colour in their homes. This exhibition was a wonderful reminder that colour doesn't have to be safe to be successful. Sometimes the most memorable combinations are the ones that break the rules.

The work felt joyful, energetic and completely individual.

Stories Hidden in Plain Sight

What makes Grayson Perry's work so fascinating is that every piece tells a story.

Throughout the exhibition, recurring characters appeared again and again. Claire, Perry's female alter ego. Alan Measles, his childhood teddy bear. Julie Cope, whose fictional life story unfolds through a series of remarkable tapestries.

Six Snapshots of Julie (2015), Grayson Perry

The more information I read, the more I realised that nothing was included by accident. Every motif, pattern, phrase and symbol contributed to a larger narrative.

I was particularly drawn to the large etchings and maps. At first glance they looked like beautifully detailed illustrations. Looking closer, they became emotional landscapes filled with memories, fears, hopes, observations and personal experiences.

““It felt less like looking at a picture and more like exploring someone’s mind.””

The "Map of Days" was one of those pieces that could keep you occupied for an hour, continually discovering something new.

Looking more closely at my photographs afterwards, I realised that the map wasn't really about places at all. It was a map of emotions, memories and personality traits. Words such as "Lingering Doubt", "Self-belief", "Confidence" and "Yearning to Belong" appeared alongside buildings, pathways and landmarks. It was both deeply personal and surprisingly universal. I suspect most visitors could find a small part of themselves somewhere within it.

Detail from A Perfect Match (2004), Grayson Perry

Creativity Inspires Creativity

What I perhaps enjoyed most about the day was the reminder that creativity is contagious.

Great exhibitions don't just present artwork, they change the way we look at the world around us. By the time Sally later sat down to create her sketch from the café photograph, she wasn't simply recording a table setting. She was interpreting it. Looking more closely at colour, pattern, shape and composition. Seeing ordinary objects through a creative lens.

In many ways, that sketch has become one of my favourite souvenirs from the day.

Not because it is a drawing of a coffee cup and a plant, but because it represents exactly what the exhibition encouraged us to do: observe, appreciate detail and find inspiration in everyday life.

Looking Back

Several months later, the Grayson Perry exhibition remains one of the most memorable exhibitions I've visited recently.

““The best exhibitions don’t simply show us artwork. They encourage us to see differently.””

Of course, the tapestries, ceramics and etchings were impressive, but what has stayed with me most is the reminder that creativity begins with curiosity.

Whether designing a room, choosing fabrics, arranging flowers, sketching a café table or creating a monumental tapestry, the process starts in the same place.

By looking a little closer.

And spending a wonderful day doing exactly that with good friends was a pretty perfect way to celebrate Kim's birthday.