Leap Into The Void (2023) – David Shrigley Screenprint

About the Work

Leap Into The Void (2023) is a striking David Shrigley screenprint that exemplifies the artist's signature synthesis of existential dread and graphic simplicity. The composition depicts a solitary, rudimentary figure suspended in mid-air, having just departed from an impossibly tall, minimalist diving platform. A saturated palette of twelve hand-separated colours creates a vivid backdrop, contrasting the stark black line work with intense primary tones that amplify the theatricality of the plunge.

By capturing the character at the exact midpoint of their descent, the composition freezes a moment of absolute vulnerability and sublime pointlessness. The text block, rendered in characteristic hand-drawn capitals, transforms a terrifying existential crisis into an act of dry, everyday slapstick. This tension between the gravity of the philosophical concept and the playful childishness of the aesthetic underscores the profound absurdity at the heart of the human condition.

David Shrigley

Nominated for the Turner Prize in 2013, Shrigley has secured an enduring position in contemporary British art through his subversion of everyday anxieties. His celebrated public commissions, including the monumental Really Good sculpture for Trafalgar Square's Fourth Plinth, reflect an ability to engage diverse audiences with disarming satire. Regular inclusions in prestigious institutions such as the Royal Academy of Arts further cement his status as a critical tastemaker.

The translation of raw ink drawings into high-fidelity prints allows the artist to preserve the immediate, unedited quality of his notebook sketches on a grand scale. Every deliberate smudge, erratic line, and corrected spelling error is elevated to the status of high art within each carefully pulled edition. Consequently, acquiring a David Shrigley print offers collectors an intimate encounter with the artist's immediate consciousness, rendered with remarkable graphic clarity.

Screenprint Process

Published in collaboration with the renowned Jealous Gallery, this edition demonstrates the exacting technical standards of contemporary printmaking. The production utilises twelve individual colour layers, building up a dense, opaque surface that contrasts beautifully with a protective gloss varnish overlay. Pressed onto heavy Somerset tub sized 410gsm paper, the physical substrate provides a tactile, archival quality that enhances the visual depth of the pigment.

This demanding screenprinting process ensures that the fluid energy of the original ink illustration is preserved without losing its spontaneous charm. Working closely with the master printers at the Jealous studio, the final output mirrors the exact density of the artist's original ink-laden brushstrokes. The resulting David Shrigley limited edition print stands as a testament to the sophisticated engineering required to replicate seemingly simple line work.

Collectability

Sustained collector interest in Shrigley's oeuvre is consistently driven by the universal resonance of his text-and-image motifs. His highly recognisable imagery acts as a visual shorthand for contemporary neuroses, making his editions highly sought after in the global secondary market. As institutions continue to acquire his works, the availability of these graphic prints on the open market remains highly competitive.

Representing a major colour work from his celebrated 2023 printmaking period, the piece remains a particularly desirable example of Shrigley's graphic practice. With an edition size capped at 125, Leap Into The Void remains highly sought after by collectors seeking his most iconic subject matter. The combination of its low print run and iconic subject matter underpins its strong secondary-market presence and continued appeal.

Artwork Specifications

• Artist: David Shrigley (British, b. 1968)
• Title: Leap Into The Void
• Medium: 12 colour screenprint with varnish overlay on Somerset tub sized 410gsm paper
• Dimensions: 55 x 55 cm
• Edition: Edition of 125
• Year: 2023
• Publisher: Jealous Gallery
• Markings: Signed and numbered on the back
• Provenance: Sold with COA issued by Jealous Gallery