Grayson Perry’s Selfie With Political Causes (2018) is a striking and satirical work that combines vivid color, intricate detail, and sharp social commentary. Known for his fearless engagement with politics, identity, and class, Perry here places himself at the center of a chaotic visual allegory that critiques contemporary political discourse and the performative nature of activism in the digital age.

The artwork depicts a figure—stylized and garishly dressed in green—riding an oversized, fantastical motorcycle. The wheels, inscribed with loaded terms like Sexism, Racism, Equality, Democracy, and Free Speech, represent the cyclical and interconnected struggles of modern society. The mechanical heart of the bike, pulsing with arteries and pipes, seems overloaded with slogans and contradictions, a reflection of how political causes are consumed, commodified, and broadcast in a world driven by media and self-promotion.

The title itself, Selfie With Political Causes, underscores Perry’s critique: in an age where social justice is often filtered through social media, activism can be reduced to performance, with individuals aligning themselves with causes for visibility rather than genuine change. The lurid palette—electric greens, neon yellows, and hot pinks—captures both the spectacle and superficiality of this phenomenon.

Yet Perry balances satire with sincerity. By riding this chaotic contraption, the artist implicates himself in the same system, acknowledging that no one is immune to the contradictions of modern political engagement. As in much of his work, he highlights the tensions between earnest belief and performative action, between the desire for equality and the structures that perpetuate inequality.

Through its visual overload and biting humor, Selfie With Political Causes exemplifies Perry’s ability to use traditional craft techniques—here, printmaking with meticulous detail—to explore urgent contemporary themes. It stands as both a critique of the political spectacle and a recognition of the messy, unavoidable entanglement between personal identity, politics, and culture.