Fuck (2021) – David Shrigley Screenprint

About the Work

Fuck (2021) is a striking David Shrigley screenprint that immediately arrests the viewer with its bold, hand-drawn yellow typography set against a deep, solid black background. The composition showcases the artist's signature graphic style, rendering a highly charged word in child-like, rounded bubble letters that deliberately soften the impact of the profanity. By isolating the single word "Fuck" in this manner, the print transforms a common expletive into a compelling visual object.

This specific typographic rendering channels the emotional register of raw frustration, subverting typical artistic beauty in favour of a direct, visceral response to modern life. The vibrant contrast between the vivid yellow pigment and the impenetrable dark background mirrors the tension between comedic absurdity and genuine exasperation. Through this juxtaposition, the work functions as both a cathartic release and a satirical commentary on the limits of language.

David Shrigley

As a nominee for the Turner Prize and a celebrated contributor to the Fourth Plinth commission in Trafalgar Square, David Shrigley has secured a formidable position within British contemporary art. His work is held in prestigious international public collections, including Tate in London and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The artist is widely recognised for his ability to translate existential dread and everyday anxieties into deceptively simple compositions.

Transitioning effortlessly from spontaneous drawing to fine art printmaking, his practice relies on the immediate translation of thought to paper. Acquiring a David Shrigley print offers collectors an entry into this subversive conceptual framework, where handwriting becomes a powerful graphic device. His distinct aesthetic continues to bridge the gap between high-art institutional recognition and popular culture.

Screenprint Process

Hand-printed with meticulous attention to colour saturation, the print utilises heavy-bodied inks to build a remarkably flat, opaque surface. The intense yellow ink is applied in rich layers over premium Somerset Satin paper, providing a tactile finish that elevates the graphic nature of the text. This rigorous attention to material quality ensures that the physical presence of the ink matches the boldness of the statement itself.

Such meticulous technical execution by Jealous Gallery allows the printmaking process to fully capture the ink flow and hand-drawn line spontaneity of the original drawing. This David Shrigley limited edition print exemplifies the high standards of contemporary screenprinting, preserving every nuance of the artist's original pen strokes. Collaborations with elite London print studios like Jealous have defined his graphic output over the last decade.

Collectability

Given the artist's global market presence, works that feature his most direct and recognisable text statements continue to command strong collector interest. The stark minimalism of this piece makes it immediately recognisable, establishing it as a hallmark of his graphic output. Similar typographic editions have historically demonstrated high demand on the secondary market due to their universal appeal and bold aesthetic.

Representing an important text piece from his highly active 2021 publishing period, the work remains a particularly desirable example of Shrigley's text-based practice. With a modest edition size of 125, the print offers compelling scarcity for collectors seeking a definitive statement piece. As institutional interest in British satirical art persists, this edition represents a seminal moment in his modern printmaking archive.

Artwork Specifications

• Artist: David Shrigley (British, b. 1968)
• Title: Fuck
• Medium: Screenprint
• Dimensions: 76 x 56 cm
• Edition: Edition of 125
• Year: 2021
• Publisher: AllRightsReserved Ltd
• Markings: Signed on the accompanying COA