‘This vase is based on an Islamic shape, the jade-like colours echo Korean celadon wares and the gold mending is an ancient Japanese technique called Kintsugi. This idea of multiple influences combined into one thing perhaps is a metaphor for US society being made up from many immigrant communities. The inlaid white designs form a series of “Star-Spangled Banners” but instead of stars and stripes there are drones, company logos, coffins, cars, crosses, bombs and guns. I wanted to make something that was exquisite in a traditional seeming way yet was a total hybrid and also reflected the crassness and violence often found in US society.’ – Grayson Perry