David Shrigley, As The Years Pass You Get More Beautiful, 2022

As The Years Pass You Get More Beautiful (2022) – David Shrigley Linocut

About the Work

As The Years Pass You Get More Beautiful (2022) is a striking David Shrigley hand-printed linocut that pairs a stark black vessel and minimalist red blossoms with the artist’s characteristic handwriting. Rendered on heavy Somerset paper, the deep black ink of the vase contrasts sharply with the vibrant, almost raw crimson of the organic forms emerging from it. This graphic simplicity creates a powerful visual focus, drawing the eye directly to the interplay between the hand-carved image and the dryly sentimental text.

While the text carries an earnest sentiment, the rough-hewn, irregular edges of the linocut block introduce a layer of defiant optimism that challenges conventional aesthetics. By pairing a sincere, romantic statement with intentionally crude lines, the composition suggests that beauty is found in imperfection and endurance rather than flawless symmetry. This tension between emotional warmth and visual awkwardness defines the unique charm of the work.

David Shrigley

Nominated for the Turner Prize in 2013, David Shrigley has secured a singular position in contemporary art through his celebrated public commissions and institutional exhibitions. His monumental Fourth Plinth commission in Trafalgar Square, Really Good, alongside regular inclusions in the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, has cemented his status in British cultural life. Today, his work is held in prestigious public collections globally, including Tate and the British Council.

His celebrated practice revolves around the translation of immediate, unfiltered thoughts into physical editions that democratise his distinctive worldview. Each David Shrigley print acts as a satirical mirror, rendering the anxieties and joys of daily existence into accessible graphic statements. This graphic immediacy translates seamlessly into printmaking, where his deliberate lack of refinement becomes a highly sophisticated artistic strategy.

Screenprint Process

Published in collaboration with the renowned Danish print studio Schäfer Grafisk Værksted, this edition reflects the meticulous technical standards that define the artist's graphic output. Unlike the flat, saturated ink layers found in traditional screenprints, this work utilises a hand-printed linocut technique that leaves a tactile, slightly debossed impression on the heavy Somerset 300g paper. The rich, viscous black ink and the intense red pigment are pressed directly into the cotton fibres, achieving a depth of colour that screenprinting cannot replicate.

This deliberate choice of medium allows the physical carving of the linoleum block to register with absolute clarity, preserving the energetic imperfections of the original drawing. By choosing to produce this David Shrigley limited edition print with Schäfer Grafisk Værksted, the artist ensures that the tactile warmth of the hand-inked block remains central to the viewing experience. The resulting impression captures the raw energy of the studio process, making each pull in the edition uniquely expressive.

Collectability

The market for the artist's graphic works continues to demonstrate robust collector interest, driven by the universal appeal of his text-based compositions. Pieces that combine iconic hand-written text with simple figurative elements are consistently prioritised by acquisitions collectors worldwide. This sustained demand is reinforced by his regular international gallery exhibitions and deep institutional presence.

Representing an important text piece from his highly active 2022 printmaking period, the piece remains a particularly desirable example of Shrigley's graphic practice. With a relatively small edition size of 100, As The Years Pass You Get More Beautiful represents a scarce and highly sought-after release that rarely appears on the secondary market. Its combination of poignant text and classic printmaking execution ensures its enduring appeal among those building serious contemporary print collections.