David Shrigley, Certificate Of Human Status, 2018

Certificate Of Human Status (2018) – David Shrigley Screenprint

About the Work

Certificate Of Human Status (2018) is a striking David Shrigley print that subverts bureaucratic authority through a stark, monochromatic colour palette mimicking an official document. Executed with the artist's signature hand-rendered typography on heavy off-white paper, the work presents a minimalist composition devoid of decorative flourish. The deliberate simplicity of the black ink on a neutral background focuses the eye entirely on the deadpan proclamation of existence.

By reducing the complexity of human identity to a crudely signed certificate, the composition evokes a profound sense of absurdity. This ironic play on administrative validation comments on the modern obsession with institutional approval, rendering the profound question of selfhood into a comical piece of paperwork. The inclusion of a faux signature at the bottom highlights how easily official systems can be parodied.

David Shrigley

Nominated for the Turner Prize in 2013, David Shrigley has secured a celebrated position in contemporary British art through his dry humour and wry observations of daily life. His public commissions, notably the monumental Really Good sculpture for the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square, demonstrate a unique capacity to engage audiences outside traditional gallery spaces. Represented in major international institutions, including the Tate and the Museum of Modern Art in New York, his work bridges conceptual depth and accessible wit.

Transitioning his celebrated daily drawings into the realm of fine art multiples has allowed his democratic approach to reach a global audience. Owning a David Shrigley print offers a direct entry point into his satirical universe, retaining the urgent immediacy of his original ink-on-paper works. The tactile qualities of the print medium elevate these spontaneous visual jokes into highly crafted art objects.

Screenprint Process

Collaborating with the renowned London-based print studio Jealous Gallery, this edition demonstrates a meticulous approach to replicating raw ink on paper. Each screenprint is pulled by hand using premium black ink onto heavy, archival Somerset paper to ensure deep, velvety blacks and crisp, clean edges. The tactile, slightly raised texture of the ink layer preserves the physical presence of the original drawing.

This close partnership with Jealous Print Studio ensures that every nuance of the artist's fluid, hand-drawn line is precisely translated. By employing traditional screenprinting techniques, the publisher captures the raw energy of the marker pen with exceptional fidelity. Ultimately, each David Shrigley limited edition print operates as a beautifully resolved physical artifact that honours the immediacy of its creation.

Collectability

Text-based compositions occupy a central place in the secondary market, consistently drawing robust collector interest for their universal appeal and immediate impact. Certificate Of Human Status showcases the artist's most recognisable graphic style, making it highly coveted by seasoned collectors. The visual clarity of this design makes it a versatile, instantly recognisable statement piece.

Representing an important text piece from his celebrated 2018 printmaking period, the piece remains a particularly desirable example of Shrigley's printmaking practice. With an edition size of 250, this print has become increasingly difficult to acquire on the secondary market. As institutions continue to acquire his works, early editions of this calibre remain highly sought after by those wishing to secure a definitive example of his satirical genius.