David Shrigley, Aim High, 2012

Aim High (2012) – David Shrigley Screenprint

About the Work

Aim High (2012) is a striking David Shrigley woodblock print that pairs minimalist monochrome aesthetics with the artist's signature deadpan commentary. Executed in a stark black ink against the organic off-white tone of the paper, the composition features bold, hand-carved uppercase letters commanding the viewer to "Aim High" above a single upward-pointing arrow. The raw, tactile qualities of the woodcut medium contrast beautifully with the corporate, motivational messaging of the text.

By utilising the labour-intensive, ancient technique of woodblock printing to convey a fleeting, modern self-help platitude, Shrigley highlights the inherent absurdity of contemporary societal expectations. The deliberate crudeness of the carved arrow subverts the lofty ambition of the text, transforming a routine motivational slogan into a poignant reflection on human endeavour. This tension between earnest aspiration and flawed execution exemplifies the artist's unique ability to find profound meaning in the mundane.

David Shrigley

Best known for his satirical drawings and public interventions, David Shrigley has established himself as one of the most significant British contemporary artists of his generation. His celebrated career includes a Turner Prize nomination in 2013 and the prestigious Fourth Plinth commission in Trafalgar Square for his monumental sculpture, Really Good. He is also a regular contributor to the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and is represented in major international museum collections worldwide.

While his practice spans sculpture, painting, and digital media, the graphic medium remains the core vehicle for his quick-witted social critiques. The transition from spontaneous ink drawings to the structured realm of printmaking allows his immediate, unvarnished style to be preserved in highly tactile formats. Acquiring a David Shrigley print offers collectors a direct connection to this celebrated graphic lineage, capturing his distinct visual vocabulary with exceptional fidelity.

Screenprint Process

Published in collaboration with the renowned Stephen Friedman Gallery, this rare woodblock print showcases a different facet of the artist's printmaking practice, which more frequently utilises screenprint techniques. Hand-printed on heavy 300gsm Hahnemühle Copperplate paper, the work relies on a singular, dense layer of black ink to create its powerful, high-contrast graphic presence. The texture of the wood grain is visibly transferred to the paper, giving the final composition an organic depth that differs from the flat colours of a traditional screenprint.

This demanding relief printing method ensures that the energetic, hand-carved lines retain their expressive vitality and physical texture. Every David Shrigley limited edition print produced in this manner carries unique ink variations, cementing its status as an authentic artifact of his studio process. Released during a pivotal moment in his career, the publication of this edition reflects the sophisticated collaborative efforts between the artist and his long-term publishing partners to expand his graphic portfolio.

Collectability

The combination of text-based satire and iconic graphic symbols has driven sustained collector interest in Shrigley's early editioned works. Works featuring highly recognisable imagery and bold typographic elements are particularly sought after in the secondary market.

Representing a highly sought-after example from his celebrated 2012 institutional period, the same year as his landmark retrospective at London's Hayward Gallery, this piece remains a particularly desirable acquisition. The modest edition size of 250 further enhances its scarcity, ensuring its continued appeal among discerning collectors of contemporary British graphic art.