David Shrigley, It Wasn't My Idea, 2014

It Wasn't My Idea (2014) – David Shrigley Screenprint

About the Work

It Wasn't My Idea (2014) is an evocative David Shrigley screenprint that distils the artist's signature dark humour into a stark, monochromatic composition. Rendered in his instantly recognisable hand-drawn typography, the bold black letters are suspended against a clean, off-white Somerset paper background, framed by a deceptively simple, slightly uneven hand-drawn border. This deliberate lack of embellishment forces the viewer to confront the raw immediacy of the written phrase.

By capturing a universal impulse toward self-preservation and the deflection of blame, the composition taps into a deep well of existential frustration. The crude, imperfect lettering mirrors the anxious urgency of the statement, transforming a commonplace excuse into a profound commentary on complicity and human agency.

David Shrigley

Nominated for the Turner Prize in 2013 and celebrated for his Fourth Plinth commission in Trafalgar Square, David Shrigley has established himself as one of the most significant British artists of his generation. His work is held in prestigious public institutions worldwide, including Tate, the British Council, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. This widespread institutional recognition underscores his unique position in contemporary art as a master of tragicomic observation.

Translating his quick-witted, immediate drawings into the graphic medium allows the artist to preserve the raw, unfiltered quality of his original ink sketches. Acquiring a David Shrigley print offers collectors a direct connection to this celebrated graphic lineage, retaining the intimate scale and tactile quality of his broader practice.

Screenprint Process

Produced in an exceptionally small run of just 50, this edition stands out for its meticulous print production. The screenprint utilises heavy, archival-quality Somerset Tub Sized paper, which provides a rich, tactile surface for the dense black ink. Each pull of the squeegee deposits a thick, opaque layer of pigment, creating a velvety matte texture that contrasts beautifully with the warm tone of the paper.

Collaborating with Counter Editions, the print studio has faithfully translated the fluid imperfections of the artist's original ink-laden brushstrokes. This careful technical translation ensures that each David Shrigley limited edition print captures the vital, immediate presence of the original drawing with pristine clarity.

Collectability

Text-based works by the artist consistently command strong collector interest due to their graphic immediacy and universal resonance. Because these minimalist compositions form the conceptual backbone of his oeuvre, they are highly sought after by those building comprehensive contemporary graphic collections.

Representing an important text piece from his highly active 2014 publishing period, It Wasn't My Idea remains a particularly desirable example of Shrigley's minimalist phase. Given the highly restricted edition size of only 50 impressions, this specific release represents a scarce opportunity for collectors, enjoying a strong secondary-market presence and continued collector interest internationally.