David Shrigley, Flowers Still Bloom, 2020

Flowers Still Bloom (2020) – David Shrigley Screenprint

About the Work

Flowers Still Bloom (2020) is an evocative David Shrigley etching on 250gsm Somerset paper that presents a stark, monochrome study of a potted plant rendered in the artist's signature faux-naïve style. The composition isolates a single flower in a simple clay pot, ensuring that Flowers Still Bloom commands the viewer's immediate attention through its deliberate simplicity. Bold, uppercase lettering flanks the central image, anchoring the visual with a message of quiet persistence.

Rooted in a sense of quiet optimism, the print utilises the stark contrast of black ink on heavy paper to transform a simple botanical motif into an emblem of resilience. By pairing the fragile, slightly uneven lines of the hand-drawn stem with the authoritative text, the work suggests that beauty and renewal persist even in the most sterile environments. This tension between the precariousness of the drawing and the certainty of the statement elevates the composition from mere illustration to a profound commentary on survival.

David Shrigley

Nominated for the Turner Prize in 2013, David Shrigley has established himself as one of the most significant and wry commentators on contemporary life. His monumental public commission Really Good for Trafalgar Square's Fourth Plinth, alongside regular inclusion in the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, cements his status within the upper echelons of British art. Major institutional acquisitions by Tate and the Museum of Modern Art in New York further validate his enduring cultural relevance.

Transitioning his celebrated ink drawings into the graphic arts allows the artist to democratise his practice while maintaining the immediate, raw energy of his original sketches. Each David Shrigley print acts as a vital conduit for his deadpan philosophy, translating the intimacy of his notebooks into a grander, more public format. This seamless translation of immediate thought to permanent impression remains a cornerstone of his graphic oeuvre.

Screenprint Process

Choosing 250gsm Somerset paper as the physical foundation for this edition provides a tactile, heavyweight quality that elevates the graphic simplicity of the line. The rich, velvety black ink is pressed deep into the cotton fibres, achieving a depth of colour and texture that flat-bed printing cannot replicate. While his screenprint editions are celebrated for their flat, vibrant saturation, this intaglio etching allows for a delicate plate tone and subtle surface variations.

This demanding graphic medium successfully captures the spontaneous, immediate gestures of the artist's original drawing instrument. Published by the renowned Danish print workshop Schäfer Grafik, this David Shrigley limited edition print demonstrates a masterful control of acid-bitten copper plates to replicate the artist's hand. In contrast to the bold fields of a typical screenprint, this intaglio etching ensures that the warmth and nuance of the ink transfer remain central to the viewer's experience.

Collectability

Driven by the universal appeal of his wry social commentary, international collector interest in the artist's graphic works continues to reach historic highs. The presence of iconic motifs, such as potted plants and motivational text, makes this particular release highly sought after on the secondary market. As institutions continue to exhibit his works globally, these graphic editions remain a primary target for sophisticated portfolios.

Representing a highly intimate release from his prominent 2020 institutional period, this work boasts an exceptionally small edition size of only 30 copies. Because such restrictive print runs are increasingly uncommon in his contemporary output, this piece remains a particularly desirable example for those seeking scarcity within the artist's established market.