David Shrigley, Ink On Paper, 2017

Ink On Paper (2017) – David Shrigley Linocut

About the Work

Ink On Paper (2017) is a striking David Shrigley screenprint that confronts the viewer with the artist's signature deadpan minimalism. Featuring bold, stark black lines set against a crisp, unadorned white background, the composition depicts a simplified ink bottle bearing the literal label of its own medium. This self-referential graphic operates as both a visual representation and a literal description of Ink On Paper itself.

By reducing the artistic act to a literal description of its raw materials, the work highlights the inherent absurdity of traditional art-historical categorisation. The deliberate crudeness of the carved silhouette subverts the historical gravitas of printmaking, turning a simple vessel into an ironic monument to artistic production. It is this playful subversion of expectations that elevates the work from a simple illustration to a profound conceptual joke.

David Shrigley

Celebrated for his satirical take on everyday life, the British artist has achieved significant institutional recognition, including a Turner Prize nomination and the prestigious Fourth Plinth commission in Trafalgar Square. His work is held in major public collections worldwide, including the Tate and the British Council, cementing his position as a crucial voice in contemporary British art.

Translating his spontaneous line drawings into screenprints allows the artist to democratise his practice while preserving the intimate immediacy of his original hand. Each David Shrigley print acts as a capsule of his distinctive visual lexicon, offering a biting critique of modern existence. The graphic medium provides the perfect vehicle for his dry humour, capturing the raw energy of his work with remarkable fidelity.

Screenprint Process

Utilising a meticulous hand-printing method, the production process of this graphic work demands an absolute purity of tone to execute the stark, high-contrast monochromatic colour palette. The deep black ink is heavily layered onto premium heavyweight Somerset wove paper, creating a rich texture that elevates the minimalist design. This careful attention to material tactile qualities ensures that the finished graphic possesses a physical presence far beyond its digital representation.

By employing traditional printmaking techniques, the studio captures the subtle irregularities and spontaneous energy of the original carved block. This David Shrigley limited edition print was carefully produced in collaboration with his long-term publishing partners at Schaefer Grafik, ensuring the highest standards of graphic precision. Through this collaborative approach, the final print retains the direct, unmediated feel of the artist's studio work.

Collectability

Acquirers of contemporary graphic art consistently gravitate towards works that showcase the artist's signature text-based motifs. The inclusion of self-referential humour in his compositions has driven sustained collector interest on the secondary market. Because these pieces capture the essence of his artistic philosophy, they remain highly sought-after acquisitions for modern collections.

Representing an important text piece from his highly active 2017 printmaking period, the work demonstrates continued appeal due to its modest edition size of 100. Such restricted editions are increasingly difficult to source, especially as institutional exhibitions continue to expand his global audience. Consequently, this particular graphic occupies a prestigious position within the artist's established secondary-market trajectory.