David Shrigley, Admire My Tail While I Eat My Nuts, 2024

Admire My Tail While I Eat My Nuts (2024) – David Shrigley Screenprint

About the Work

Admire My Tail While I Eat My Nuts (2024) is a striking David Shrigley print that captures the artist's signature wry humour through the depiction of a prideful squirrel. Rendered in monochromatic ink on heavy paper, the composition features a hand-drawn creature presenting its plume-like tail while munching on acorns. The contrasting white background highlights the stark, energetic linework that defines this whimsical composition.

This work explores the theme of unselfconscious exhibitionism, mapping a delightfully human vanity onto a commonplace wild animal. By coupling the literal text with the absurdly posturing animal, the piece speaks directly to the emotional register of Absurdity. It highlights our own desire for validation, prompting viewers to laugh at the performative nature of modern attention-seeking.

David Shrigley

As a celebrated Turner Prize nominee and the mind behind the acclaimed Fourth Plinth commission in Trafalgar Square, David Shrigley has secured a formidable position in contemporary British art. His celebrated installations and contributions to the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition have cemented his reputation worldwide. Today, his works are held in prestigious public institutions, including the Tate in London and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Translating his immediate, raw drawing style into the sphere of fine art multiples allows the artist to democratise his practice. Each David Shrigley print acts as a direct conduit to his subversive universe, translating spontaneous ideas into lasting physical objects. Collectors highly value these graphic translations for their immediate visual impact and profound cultural commentary.

Screenprint Process

Utilising the traditional intaglio method rather than a standard screenprint process, this etching employs rich, oil-based ink pressed deep into the fibres of heavy Somerset paper. This material choice provides a sculptural depth to the debossed lines, distinguishing the tactile surface from his flat colour screenprinting editions. The delicate plate mark around the imagery frames the raw energy of the hand-carved copper plate.

This demanding hand-pulled printing process translates the urgency of the original drawing with remarkable precision. To achieve this level of detail, this David Shrigley limited edition print was produced in collaboration with the renowned Copenhagen print studio Borch Edition, ensuring the highest standard of graphic registration. The resulting impression captures the velvet-like texture of the ink, offering a completely different physical presence than his high-volume screenprints.

Collectability

High demand defines the secondary market for the artist, with collector interest remaining exceptionally robust for his animal-focused compositions. This particular piece showcases his highly recognisable imagery, combining deadpan text with animal zoomorphism to capture his most celebrated thematic style. Works featuring birds, dogs, or woodland creatures consistently command attention at global contemporary art auctions.

Representing a coveted animal motif from his 2024 printmaking output, Admire My Tail While I Eat My Nuts remains a particularly desirable example of his graphic work. With an incredibly low edition size of just 20, compared to his typical runs of 125 or more, the scarcity of this release makes it a highly sought-after acquisition. As a result, the limited edition has quickly captured the focus of serious contemporary art collectors worldwide.