David Shrigley, Ignore the Ghosts, 2022

Ignore the Ghosts (2022) – David Shrigley Screenprint

About the Work

Ignore the Ghosts (2022) is a striking David Shrigley screenprint that confronts the viewer with a characteristically deadpan exploration of psychological resilience. This compelling composition utilises a vibrant, saturated backdrop offset by stark white spectral figures that seem to float around the central, bold hand-rendered text. By juxtaposing these flat, cartoonish apparitions against a rich field of colour, the work commands immediate visual attention while retaining an intimate, sketchbook-like immediacy.

Through this playful yet unsettling arrangement, the composition externalises the internal state of anxiety, translating complex psychological burdens into literal, cartoonish entities. The instruction to simply overlook these haunting presences highlights the absurdity of modern self-help platitudes, suggesting that some anxieties cannot be easily dismissed. This tension between the cheerful palette and the ominous subject matter creates a powerful narrative irony that is central to the artist's celebrated work.

David Shrigley

As a Turner Prize nominee and recipient of the prestigious Fourth Plinth commission in Trafalgar Square, this celebrated British artist has secured a formidable position within contemporary art history. His work is held in prominent public collections worldwide, including the Tate Group and the British Council, reflecting his widespread institutional acclaim. Frequent appearances at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition continue to cement his status as a leading voice in satirical social commentary.

Translating his characteristically raw, ink-on-paper drawings into graphic editions allows the artist to democratise his subversive humour without losing any of the original gestural spontaneity. Each meticulously produced David Shrigley print preserves the deliberate imperfections of his handwriting and the erratic quality of his line work. Consequently, these graphic editions function as immediate extensions of his broader drawing practice, bridging the gap between high art and everyday observation.

Screenprint Process

Collaborating with the renowned London-based print studio Jealous Gallery, this graphic release highlights the technical precision required to translate loose drawings into refined fine art editions. The production involves a complex screenprinting process that layers rich, high-pigment inks onto heavy Somerset paper to achieve an exceptional depth of colour. A hand-applied varnish overlay is subsequently introduced to coat the graphic elements, creating a subtle contrast in texture that catches the light beautifully.

This sophisticated printmaking methodology ensures that the flat expanses of ink maintain their velvety opacity and razor-sharp borders. Acquiring a David Shrigley limited edition print offers collectors an authentic encounter with the artist's graphic line, rendered with a level of saturation that standard digital printing cannot replicate. The resulting physical object carries a tactile quality that elevates the satirical imagery into a compelling work of fine art.

Collectability

Boasting a highly established secondary market, the artist's graphic works continue to attract intense collector interest globally. Pieces featuring his trademark combination of absurdist philosophy and bold typography remain the most recognisable and sought-after examples of his visual lexicon. As a result, acquisitions of these signature graphic statements are highly prioritised by both seasoned institutions and private collectors alike.

Representing an important text piece from his highly active 2022 printmaking period, Ignore the Ghosts is a particularly desirable example of the artist's dark humour. With a relatively compact edition size of just 125, the scarcity of this particular release ensures its enduring appeal in the contemporary market. This combination of visual impact and limited availability makes the print a key acquisition for any serious contemporary collection.