David Shrigley, I Must Rest My Rampage Is Over, 2022

I Must Rest My Rampage Is Over (2022) – David Shrigley Sculpture

About the Work

I Must Rest My Rampage Is Over (2022) is a compelling David Shrigley sculpture executed in glazed ceramic, representing a significant expansion of the artist's three-dimensional practice. The work features a slumped, dark grey zoomorphic figure resting on its side, immediately drawing the eye with its tactile, hand-moulded quality. Across its prone body, the iconic text is rendered in stark white glaze, offering a bold graphic contrast to the dark, glossy surface of the clay.

The physical weariness of the figure captures a profound sense of absurdity, transforming a potentially menacing creature into a vulnerable, exhausted object of sympathy. This clever subversion of threat into domesticated fatigue reflects the artist's signature approach to existential dread, where grand statements are humorously deflated. By presenting a monster defeated not by an adversary but by its own exhaustion, the work comments on the inescapable fatigue of modern existence.

David Shrigley

As a Turner Prize nominee and the mind behind the celebrated Fourth Plinth commission in Trafalgar Square, David Shrigley has secured an indelible place in contemporary British art history. His work is held in prestigious public institutions worldwide, including the Tate and the British Council Collection. His playful yet incisive critiques of the everyday have made him a regular highlight of the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition.

Transitioning his characteristically raw, ink-on-paper drawings into three dimensions allows the artist to occupy physical space with the same immediacy as his graphic work. This tactile translation is beautifully realised in this David Shrigley sculpture, where the loose, expressive qualities of his line drawings are given permanent, solid form. The three-dimensional format imbues his dark humour with a physical presence that demands direct engagement from the viewer.

Sculpture Process

Released in a highly restricted run, this particular edition demonstrates the meticulous attention to detail required in high-end ceramic production. The sculpture is cast in premium ceramic and finished with a rich, dark glaze that highlights the subtle contours of the hand-moulded form. Each piece is fired to achieve a robust, glossy surface that acts as a perfect canvas for the hand-painted white lettering.

The firing and glazing process deliberately preserves the spontaneous, slightly irregular charm of the original clay model. Produced in collaboration with the renowned creative studio AllRightsReserved, this David Shrigley limited edition sculpture maintains the organic texture and raw vitality of a handmade object. This careful manufacturing process ensures that the artist's quick-witted drawing style is perfectly translated into a durable, collectable medium.

Collectability

Hand-painted ceramic multiples by the artist have witnessed a significant surge in collector interest over recent years, driven by their tactile presence and sculptural playfulness. The combination of anthropomorphic character design and dry textual wit represents the most recognisable and sought-after strand of his creative output. Collectors prioritised these three-dimensional works for their ability to bring his wry social commentary off the gallery wall and into the physical environment.

Representing a highly collectable work from his celebrated institutional period, I Must Rest My Rampage Is Over remains a particularly desirable example of his sculptural output. With an edition size of just 75 copies, the piece offers exceptional scarcity compared to his larger print runs, ensuring its continued appeal within the secondary market. As institutions continue to celebrate his mid-career achievements, these low-edition ceramic releases are increasingly recognised as key milestones in his broader oeuvre.