I Am Currently On Fire (2018) – David Shrigley Print

About the Work

I Am Currently On Fire (2018) is a striking David Shrigley screenprint that confronts the viewer with a characteristically chaotic existential declaration. Rendered in a dense palette of fifteen distinct colours against a saturated, intense background, the hand-drawn typography hums with a deceptively playful energy. The rich texture of the inks gives the text a physical weight, transforming a simple, alarming statement into a tactile graphic event.

This composition masterfully captures a sense of modern anxiety, pairing the extreme panic of physical combustion in I Am Currently On Fire with an incredibly deadpan, matter-of-fact presentation. By isolating the text without an accompanying illustrative figure, the work forces the viewer to occupy the space of the speaker. It is this tension between the urgency of the message and the calm, structured medium of the print that defines the artwork's psychological resonance.

David Shrigley

Nominated for the Turner Prize in 2013, David Shrigley has secured his position as one of the most prominent chroniclers of contemporary absurdity. His celebrated public commissions, including the monumental Really Good on Trafalgar Square’s Fourth Plinth, alongside regular inclusions in the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, underscore his institutional significance. Examples of his work are held in prestigious public collections worldwide, including Tate and the British Council.

His practice relies on the deceptively simple translation of immediate, ink-on-paper drawings into highly sophisticated, polished mediums. This transition is beautifully illustrated in each David Shrigley print, where the immediate energy of a spontaneous sketch is elevated through meticulous production methods. The resulting works preserve the raw intimacy of his notebooks while establishing a commanding physical presence on the wall.

Print Process

Utilising an exceptionally demanding production process, this fifteen-colour screenprint is built upon heavy Somerset Tub Sized 410gsm paper. The application of two distinct varnish overlays adds a subtle depth and textural variation to the inked surface, catching the light differently across the composition. This complex technical approach allows each layer of colour to remain vibrant and crisp, emphasising the graphic precision of the work.

Collaborative execution with the master printers at Jealous Gallery ensures that the artist’s characteristic handwriting and raw graphic style are faithfully preserved. Every pull of this David Shrigley limited edition print demonstrates a commitment to technical excellence that elevates the simple text to a museum-quality object. The result is a perfect marriage of high-level printmaking craftsmanship and casual, immediate creative expression.

Collectability

Acquirers of contemporary art consistently seek out the artist's text-based works due to their immediate cultural resonance and dry wit. Text compositions from this period represent some of the most recognisable imagery in his entire oeuvre, driving continued collector interest in his graphic editions. This sustained demand is supported by a robust global market that values the artist's unique contribution to conceptual humour.

Representing an important text piece from his highly active 2018 publishing period, the work remains a particularly desirable example of Shrigley's printmaking practice. With an edition size of just 100, this release offers a level of scarcity that makes it highly sought after within the secondary market. The piece continues to attract attention from discerning collectors looking to secure a key historical marker of his signature textual style.

Artwork Specifications

• Artist: David Shrigley (British, b. 1968)
• Title: I Am Currently On Fire
• Medium: 15 colour screenprint with 2 varnish overlays on Somerset Tub Sized 410gsm paper
• Dimensions: 76 x 56 cm
• Edition: Edition of 100
• Year: 2018
• Publisher: Jealous Gallery
• Markings: Signed, numbered and dated on the back
• Provenance: Sold with COA from Jealous Gallery