Situated in the small village of Wrabness, A House for Essex was designed to evoke a tradition of wayside and pilgrimage chapels in the landscape. It is a singular building, appearing as a small, beautifully crafted object amongst the fields. Think of it less of a house, more of an ornate, terracotta-covered temple. It's a collaboration between Grayson Perry (one of my favourite artists growing up) and Charles Holland of FAT Architecture exploring the special character and unique qualities of Essex.
So while I've got some free time and I'm while I'm in London (a hell of a lot closer to Essex than I usually am), the opportunity to visit had finally arrived...
I have to say, of all the art I've seen in my life (which I'll be honest, isn't actually a whole lot), this is truely one of the most spectacular; not just in its form, but in it's narrative.
The whole concept of the house is based around the mythical Julie May Cope, a figure Perry created as an archetype of the "Essex Everywoman"; Julie is a figure that encompasses the kind of trials, tribulations, celebrations and mistakes of an average life. A representative of the emotions and experiences of the women of Essex as a way of overcoming the generic 'fake-tan' stereotype associated with them.
A stunning example of art meets architecture
The house is covered with terracotta tiles based around elements of Julie's life, with the largest of the tiles resembling her as a mystical goddess.
Part of the narrative is that the house itself was commissioned by Julie's soulmate Rob in her memory after she was killed in a freak accident with by a delivery driver in Colchester. The instrument of her demise, the delivery scooter, hangs in the main hall of the house as a chandelier.
After months, Julie feels this is her due. Good talk and wine, longer walks, slower art.
A senior social worker and her man enjoying complex friends and broadsheet lives.
Often, she had to remind herself that this is not ecstasy, a fleeting peek, but happiness.
A wide fertile valley in its familiarity, golden.
Julie said she had never known such bliss.
Rob had kissed her and said that if she died he would then grieve as deep as Shah Jahan and build a Taj Mahal upon the Stour.
The above extract is from the three thousand word poem that Perry wrote in conjunction with the building. It's such a shame, I'd love to read the whole thing but, as far as I can tell, it isn't on the interweb. It feels a bit strange referring to this as a building, because is is so much more than that. This is about a woman that doesn't exist, yet there is something so relatable about her, like the lyrics of an Adele track.
Sadly, I couldn't get inside as you have to have your name registered to take part in a ballot in order to get a slot to stay in the house. Plus it appeared to be closed for the winter season...
If you're reading this and are interested in finding out more about this gorgeous place, Channel 4 made a short documentary with Grayson Perry about the process behind its design and construction. It's on All4 still, just search for "Grayson Perry's Dream House". It's an excellent piece of television and I strongly advise watching!
*apologies if there are any spelling mistakes or grammatical errors, I'm trying to write this on a crammed train from Colchester to Liverpool Street.