David Shrigley Biography

David Shrigley (b. 1968, Macclesfield, England) is one of Britain's most distinctive contemporary artists, internationally known for his darkly humorous drawings, text-based artworks, and limited edition prints that examine the absurdities of everyday life. Based in Brighton, he has built a career spanning over three decades, creating artworks that combine deliberate naïveté with sharp wit and conceptual precision.

Shrigley's practice is characterized by simple line drawings paired with deadpan text, often exploring themes of failure, anxiety, mortality, and human behavior. His artworks employ a deliberately crude aesthetic – childlike handwriting and rough sketches – that belies their sophisticated commentary on contemporary culture. This approach creates a tension between accessibility and conceptual depth, inviting viewers to engage with uncomfortable truths through humor.

Working across drawing, printmaking, sculpture, photography, and animation, David Shrigley has expanded his practice beyond the page. His limited edition prints – including lithographs, screenprints, etchings and woodcuts – remain central to his output, translating his distinctive visual language into highly collectible editions. Whether depicting absurd scenarios, blunt statements, or surreal observations, his prints balance wit with existential unease.In addition to his drawings and prints, David Shrigley has produced sculptures, public artworks, and collaborations that extend his practice into three dimensions. His signed editions and original artworks remain highly sought after by collectors worldwide, offering accessible entry points into his darkly comic vision.Through his prints, drawings, and sculptures, David Shrigley continues to be recognized as one of the most influential British artists of his generation, with artworks held in major museum collections globally.

Notable exhibitions

Nominated for the Turner Prize in 2013, David Shrigley has exhibited internationally at major museums and institutions. His artworks have been the focus of significant solo exhibitions, including at the Hayward Gallery, London (2012), the Pinakothek der Moderne, Munich (2014), Museo de Arte Contemporáneo, Santiago de Chile (2016), and K Museum of Contemporary Art, Seoul (2021).

In addition to these exhibitions, Shrigley has presented work at leading venues worldwide, including the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art in Edinburgh and Copenhagen Contemporary. His large-scale public commission Really Good (2016), installed on the Fourth Plinth in London's Trafalgar Square, remains one of his most iconic artworks, further cementing his position as one of Britain's most distinctive contemporary artists.

His limited edition prints and original artworks continue to be featured in museum collections and gallery exhibitions globally, remaining highly sought after by collectors worldwide.