David Shrigley, Kindness, 2018

Kindness (2018) – David Shrigley Screenprint

About the Work

Kindness (2018) is a striking David Shrigley screenprint that translates a fundamental human virtue into a bold visual statement. The composition features the title spelt out in hand-rendered, multi-coloured block letters set against a clean, off-white background. By rendering each letter in a distinct, vibrant hue, the artist gives the word a physical, almost sculptural presence.

Through this play on typography, the work serves as a poignant social observation on the simplicity and necessity of positive human interaction. The deliberate, child-like styling of the lettering strips away the cynicism of contemporary life, presenting the concept of empathy as something elemental and easily understood. By isolating the word, the artist invites viewers to reconsider the weight and daily practice of goodwill in modern society.

David Shrigley

Nominated for the Turner Prize in 2013, David Shrigley is widely celebrated for his satirical takes on the mundane complexities of daily life. His high-profile public commissions, including the Fourth Plinth sculpture in Trafalgar Square and guest-curation at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, have cemented his place in contemporary British art history. Works by the artist are held in prestigious public institutions worldwide, including Tate and the British Council.

The translation of his signature, ink-drawn style into the print medium allows his immediate, graphic humour to find a permanent, highly saturated form. Each David Shrigley print acts as a capsule of quick-witted philosophy, preserving the loose energy of his initial sketchbook entries. This transition from paper to press ensures his distinctive voice remains accessible yet highly collectable.

Screenprint Process

Printed on exceptionally heavy Somerset tub sized 410gsm paper, this work demonstrates a superb command of modern screenprinting techniques. This specific archival stock provides a luxurious, tactile surface that absorbs the rich acrylic inks without warping or buckling. The dense, opaque layers of the individual colour blocks are rendered with crisp edges, ensuring the graphic vibrancy of the lettering remains clean and distinct.

Produced in collaboration with London-based Jealous Gallery, the production process meticulously captures the artist's original ink lines and spontaneous hand. This David Shrigley limited edition print showcases the studio's technical skill in replicating the exact texture and saturation of the original drawing. The final output feels remarkably direct, preserving the hand-made quality that collectors value in his graphic oeuvre.

Collectability

Spanning both institutional acclaim and a passionate global following, the artist's market continues to demonstrate sustained collector interest. Graphic, text-based works of this nature are highly sought after because they represent the core of his satirical and visual vocabulary. Their immediate visual impact makes them instantly recognisable, anchoring contemporary collections with a sense of intelligent, light-hearted irony.

Representing a major colour work from his celebrated 2018 printmaking period, Kindness remains a particularly desirable example of his text-led practice. With a relatively small edition size of only 125, opportunities to acquire this specific piece on the secondary market are increasingly scarce. The combination of its positive, universal message and vibrant aesthetic ensures its long-term appeal for discerning collectors.