David Shrigley, I Think About Football All Of The Time, 2023

I Think About Football All Of The Time (2023) – David Shrigley Screenprint

About the Work

I Think About Football All Of The Time (2023) is a striking David Shrigley screenprint that commands attention through its monumental scale and vibrant palette. Rendered in thirty-four distinct ink colours, the composition presents a simplified green football pitch defined by hand-drawn white lines and a solitary black-and-white ball. The juxtaposition of bold primary tones against the rich, saturated grass-green backdrop immediately draws the viewer into the artist's characteristically playful environment.

By reducing a globally beloved sport to a series of rudimentary shapes and handwritten text, the work captures a sense of existential absurdity inherent in modern obsessive devotion. This text acts as a humorous window into the human mind, reflecting how mundane distractions can dominate our inner psychological landscape. Through this monumental scale, the artist elevates a simple, everyday thought into a grand, comedic declaration.

David Shrigley

Nominated for the Turner Prize in 2013, the celebrated British artist has carved out a unique position in contemporary art with his biting satire and deceptively simple draftsmanship. His prominent public commissions, including the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square and his involvement in the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, have cemented his reputation as an essential voice in British culture. Today, his work is held in prestigious public institutions worldwide, including the Tate and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Translating spontaneous ink drawings into high-quality graphic editions allows his dry wit to reach a broader audience of collectors. Every David Shrigley print preserves the raw energy and immediate impact of his original sketchbook observations, making them highly sought-after. This transition from ephemeral notebook doodles to ambitious graphic works highlights his mastery of graphic subversion.

Screenprint Process

Executed on exceptionally heavy Somerset tub sized 410gsm paper, the physical presence of this monumental edition is immediately palpable to anyone viewing it in person. The choice of this prestigious archival support allows for the flawless application of thirty-four individual colour screens, creating a dense, tactile surface texture. Each layer of ink is meticulously applied to ensure a rich, matte finish that remains true to the artist's intense colour palette.

Published by Counter Editions, the production of this ambitious work required immense technical skill to register the complex multicolour layers accurately. This David Shrigley limited edition print exemplifies how the traditional screenprinting process can translate a simple hand-drawn line into a powerful, graphic statement. The resulting work possesses a crispness of detail and a saturated depth of colour that elevates the original drawing into a major piece of graphic art.

Collectability

Strong collector interest continues to surround works that feature the artist's most recognisable motifs and humorous textual commentary. The universal appeal of the subject matter makes this particular release highly desirable, appealing to both sports enthusiasts and contemporary art connoisseurs. This widespread familiarity ensures a robust presence on the secondary market for his most iconic text-based compositions.

Representing a major colour work from his highly active 2023 printmaking period, the piece remains a particularly desirable example of the artist's graphic practice. With an edition size of just 125, the monumental scale and complex production values of I Think About Football All Of The Time make it a scarce and highly coveted acquisition. Collectors increasingly seek out these large-format editions because of their exceptional wall presence and institutional appeal.