David Shrigley
British b. 1968
David Shrigley is a Scottish artist who is widely recognized for his darkly humorous and distinctively simple drawings that often feature handwritten texts. Born in 1968 in Macclesfield, England, Shrigley's work encompasses a wide range of media, including illustration, photography, sculpture, and animation.
Shrigley's art is characterized by its seemingly crude and childlike style, which belies the underlying wit and incisive commentary on the human condition. His work often explores themes of absurdity, anxiety, and the banality of everyday life, with a keen sense of irony and a touch of nihilism. Over the years, Shrigley has gained a devoted following for his offbeat and often unsettling creations, which have been exhibited in major galleries and museums around the world. His work has also been published in numerous books, and he has collaborated with various musicians and writers. Despite the simplicity of his visual language, Shrigley's art manages to provoke contemplation and laughter in equal measure, inviting viewers to reconsider the absurdity of existence with a healthy dose of dark humor.
Shrigley attended the Glasgow School of Art and has exhibited in New York, London, Paris, Los Angeles, and Copenhagen. His works belong in the collections of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Modern Art, the Tate, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary Foundation, and the Arts Council Collection.
Photo courtesy: Alun Callender / The artist