David Shrigley, Get Your Shit Together, 2021

Get Your Shit Together (2021) – David Shrigley Linocut

About the Work

Get Your Shit Together (2021) is a striking David Shrigley linocut that pairs raw typographical advice with a dense, chaotic nest of multi-coloured scribbles. Executed on thick wove paper, the central motif features a frantic tangle of black, red, blue, green, and yellow hand-carved lines that dominate the composition. The vibrant abstraction sits in stark contrast with the blocky, capitalised text below, presenting a humorous yet biting visual representation of cognitive clutter.

By rendering the text with a deliberate, physical urgency, the composition perfectly captures the daily friction of modern life and the universal frustration of trying to organise one’s chaotic thoughts. This physical manifestation of mental noise, illustrated through the knotted Gordian knot of coloured lines, resonates deeply with anyone seeking clarity amidst contemporary existential overwhelm. Ultimately, the work functions as both a lighthearted admonition and a profound reflection on the perpetual struggle for self-possession.

David Shrigley

Nominated for the Turner Prize in 2013, the celebrated British artist has carved out a unique space in contemporary art through his deadpan satire and deceptively crude drawings. From his monumental Fourth Plinth commission in Trafalgar Square to his frequent involvement in the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, his works are held in prestigious public institutions worldwide, including the Tate and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. His signature aesthetic utilises sharp social commentary to lay bare the absurdities of daily human experience.

This graphic immediacy translates exceptionally well to the realm of multiples, where his work in screenprint and linocut formats preserves the raw vitality of his original sketches. Each carefully produced David Shrigley print acts as a democratic extension of his broader practice, offering collectors a direct connection to his singular, dry wit. By utilising traditional graphic techniques, the artist elevates ephemeral thoughts into highly structured, lasting visual statements.

Screenprint Process

Carved by hand with deliberate imperfections, the linocut block used for this edition produces a rich, tactile surface ink deposit that screenprinting cannot replicate. Printed on premium heavy wove paper, the composition features five distinct ink layers that are pressed sequentially to ensure the vibrant primaries remain crisp and bold against the paper's natural texture. This hands-on carving process leaves visible woodgrain and tool marks, imbuing the graphic lines with an organic warmth and depth.

Working in close collaboration with the master printers at Schäfer Grafisk Værksted, the publisher Galleri Nicolai Wallner ensured the mechanical production preserved the fluid spontaneity of the original drawing. This meticulous attention to printing pressure and ink consistency is characteristic of a premium David Shrigley limited edition print, bridging the gap between high-art printmaking and direct graphic expression. The resulting edition possesses a physical presence that highlights the artist's masterful use of bold, relief-printed linocut techniques.

Collectability

Text-based works from the artist's oeuvre consistently attract intense collector interest due to their instant relatability and iconic graphic style. By merging bold typography with abstract imagery, this piece exemplifies the highly recognisable visual language that has established his strong secondary-market presence. Collectors value these editions for their ability to command attention in any setting, representing a seminal moment in his graphic development.

Representing an important text piece from his highly active 2021 printmaking period, the work remains a particularly desirable example of Shrigley’s celebrated career. With a restricted edition size of just 100 copies, this specific release is increasingly difficult to source on the secondary market. As demand for his larger graphic editions continues to grow globally, acquisitions of this calibre offer lasting appeal within the contemporary print market.