David Shrigley, Albino Squirrel, 2017

Albino Squirrel (2017) – David Shrigley Linocut

About the Work

Albino Squirrel (2017) is a striking David Shrigley linocut that captures the artist's signature graphic economy through a minimalist, monochrome depiction of an enigmatic rodent. Rendered in bold black ink on heavy white wove paper, the stark silhouette stands in contrast to the negative space of the composition. The textured, hand-carved edges of the block print bring a raw, physical presence to the simple form.

By isolating this unusually coloured creature, the composition dwells on the theme of existential absurdity within the natural world. The characteristically crude rendering strips the subject of any traditional wildlife majesty, transforming the rare specimen into a humorous, slightly bewildered totem of modern anxiety. This deliberate tension between the rarity of the animal and the simplicity of the line elevates the work beyond mere illustration.

David Shrigley

Nominated for the Turner Prize in 2013, the celebrated British artist has carved out a singular position in contemporary art through his deadpan commentary. His public commissions, including the celebrated Fourth Plinth sculpture in Trafalgar Square, have secured his status as one of the UK's most significant cultural voices. His works reside in major institutional collections worldwide, from Tate to the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Translating the immediacy of his spontaneous drawings into the graphic medium allows the artist to democratise his practice while preserving its urgent, raw quality. Each David Shrigley print acts as a brief, unfiltered window into the collective subconscious, combining crude draftsmanship with philosophical weight. The deliberate preservation of minor imperfections highlights the human touch central to his globally recognised aesthetic.

Screenprint Process

Released in a highly controlled run of just 100 copies, this scarce graphic edition represents a refined departure from the artist's larger screenprint editions. Utilising heavy Somerset wove paper, the relief printing technique achieves a rich, tactile ink density that screenprints cannot easily replicate. The rich black ink sits proud on the paper surface, defining the stark contours of the subject with an intense, velvety depth.

Executed by Copenhagen's renowned Schäfer Grafisk Værksted, the production captures the nuance of the hand-carved linoleum block with exceptional fidelity. Collectors of the David Shrigley limited edition print will appreciate how this relief method mirrors the directness of his original drawings. This collaboration with a premier master printer ensures that each impression carries the distinct character of the artist's initial carving.

Collectability

Acquirers of contemporary graphics consistently seek out the artist's animal portraits, which represent some of his most celebrated and enduring motifs. The stark, graphic quality of this particular edition ensures it stands out within his wider graphic output, making it highly visible in gallery settings. Continued collector interest is driven by the cross-generational appeal of these instantly recognisable black-and-white taxonomies.

Representing a highly sought-after animal motif from his celebrated 2017 Danish printmaking period, the piece remains a particularly desirable example of Shrigley's graphic practice. With an edition size of just 100, Albino Squirrel has become increasingly difficult to source on the secondary market. The limited nature of this release, combined with the rising global profile of the artist, maintains its position as a key acquisition target.