It’s a Smash Hit! National Galleries of Scotland Sir Grayson Perry Exhibition Visited Almost 100,000 Times

The National Galleries of Scotland has announced that its blockbuster exhibition, Grayson Perry: Smash Hits, was visited almost 100,000 times in its four-month run. Since opening on 15 July, 95,852 visits were booked to enjoy the celebration of Sir Grayson Perry’s 40-year career at the National (Royal Scottish Academy) before it closed on Sunday 12 November.

On show exclusively in Edinburgh, Grayson Perry: Smash Hits explored the remarkable 40-year career of contemporary cultural icon, Sir Grayson Perry. Visitors were able to enjoy over eighty works, including richly detailed tapestries, subversive pots and elaborate plates – some of which were on public display for the first time. Developed in close collaboration with the artist, the exhibition renounced the tradition for chronological displays. Instead, Perry’s work was presented as a journey through themes including masculinity, sexuality, class, religion, politics and identity.

Grayson Perry: Smash Hits was the National Galleries of Scotland’s most visited exhibition in over ten years, and the fourth most visited since the reopening of the refurbished exhibition galleries in the RSA building in 2003. Surpassing all expectations, over 10,000 people were welcomed in the first two weeks alone. The final weekend, which offered extended opening hours to allow as many people as possible to experience the exhibition, with over 2,200 visitors each day.

Home to Scotland’s superb art collection, the National Galleries of Scotland operates three galleries in Edinburgh. At the National visitors can discover treasures from Botticelli to Titian, as well as the world’s largest collection of works by artists from Scotland. The Portrait gallery is packed with famous faces from history and contemporary portraits of pop culture icons, while Modern showcases the very best modern art. As well as conserving and researching the national collection, the National Galleries of Scotland is committed to reaching the widest possible audience through an active programme, including partnerships across Scotland, the UK and abroad, as well as online.

Visitors enjoyed sharing their experience of Grayson Perry: Smash Hits with feedback captured by National Galleries Scotland throughout the duration of the exhibition. Some notable takeaways included:

“So accessible. I loved his commentaries. It is the only exhibition I have ever been to and laughed out loud.”

“I have never been to an exhibition where almost all of the visitors were smiling and laughing.”

“This was the best, most thought-provoking exhibition I’ve been to in years!”

Sir Grayson Perry said: “It was one of the most enjoyable and proud exhibiting experiences of my career. Many thanks to the brilliant team at the National Galleries of Scotland and the people of Scotland!”

Sir John Leighton, Director-General of the National Galleries of Scotland, said: “Welcoming almost 100,000 visitors to Grayson Perry: Smash Hits is a significant and proud moment for the National Galleries of Scotland. It has been a privilege from the start to work with Sir Grayson Perry in bringing this phenomenal exhibition to the people of Scotland. The response from our visitors, through their verbal and written feedback, photos they’ve shared and online engagement, has been incredible to witness. My congratulations and thanks to Sir Grayson – it has been smashing!’

To find out more about upcoming exhibitions, displays and events at the National Galleries of Scotland, visit What’s on | National Galleries of Scotland.