David Shrigley, I Love..., 2019

I Love... (2019) – David Shrigley Screenprint

About the Work

I Love... (2019) is a striking David Shrigley screenprint that subverts the traditional language of devotion with characteristic dry humour. Set against a flat, saturated yellow background, the bold hand-drawn text commands immediate visual attention through its raw graphic execution. This deliberate contrast between the vibrant, cheerful backdrop and the stark black ink lines establishes a compelling tension that defines the visual composition.

By presenting a catalog of bizarre and trivial affections, the artwork explores the realm of absurdity in everyday human emotion. The uneven lettering and casual formatting reject the polished aesthetics of commercial sentimentality, offering instead an honest, if deeply eccentric, confession. It is this tension between universal vulnerability and mundane specificity that gives I Love... its poignant, humorous bite.

David Shrigley

As a celebrated Turner Prize nominee and the mind behind the acclaimed Fourth Plinth commission 'Really Good' in Trafalgar Square, this British artist has earned a formidable reputation in contemporary art. His distinctive practice spans drawings, sculptures, and public installations, with major representation in leading global institutions such as Tate and the British Council Collection. His playful yet subversive commentary continues to challenge the traditional boundaries of high art.

The translation of spontaneous, quick-witted drawings into the refined realm of multiples is central to his artistic output. Each David Shrigley print acts as a democratic extension of his conceptual philosophy, preserving the urgent, immediate energy of his original sketchbooks. This approach allows his sharp observations on modern life to reach an international audience while maintaining a rigorous aesthetic standard.

Screenprint Process

Collaborating closely with the master printmakers at Jealous Gallery, the production of this edition highlights a dedication to exceptional printmaking standards. The screenprint utilises highly saturated, rich pigments layered meticulously onto archival Somerset satin paper to ensure deep colour density and crisp graphic lines. Each pull of the screen preserves the flat, tactile quality of the ink, giving the final surface an arresting, physical presence.

This demanding process ensures that the immediate, hand-drawn character of the original text is flawlessly captured without losing any of its organic texture. By working with a premier print studio like Jealous Gallery, the creation of each David Shrigley limited edition print achieves a level of graphic purity that rivals his unique works. The choice of heavy, luxurious paper supports the weight of the ink, grounding the whimsical composition in a highly tactile medium.

Collectability

Acquiring works featuring the artist's signature handwritten text has long been a focal point for global collectors. The text-based compositions remain highly sought-after due to their instant recognisability and universal cultural resonance. This sustained collector interest has established a remarkably robust secondary-market presence for these iconic text editions.

Representing an important text piece from his highly active 2019 production period, the work is highly valued for its limited availability. With an edition size of just 125, I Love... stands as a highly desirable example of his graphic output that continues to experience strong demand. The combination of its tight print run and instantly recognisable aesthetic makes this limited edition a cornerstone for any serious collector of contemporary graphic art.