Let The Sunshine In (2025) – David Shrigley Screenprint

About the Work

Let The Sunshine In (2025) is a striking David Shrigley screenprint that radiates with a complex palette of twenty-two distinct colours, showcasing his signature deadpan text enveloped in a vibrant spectrum of hand-drawn rays. This ambitious composition balances intense primary tones with subtle pastel gradients, creating an unusually warm visual field that commands attention. The juxtaposition of the bold, handwritten instruction with the highly saturated graphic backdrop showcases the artist's ability to elevate simple, positive sentiments into arresting visual statements.

By utilising the phrase "Let The Sunshine In" as both a literal directive and a metaphorical plea, the work taps into a shared desire for uncomplicated optimism within an increasingly complex world. Shrigley subverts the typical earnestness of self-help aphorisms by rendering the text in his characteristically shaky, imperfect handwriting, which introduces a charmingly human vulnerability to the message. This tension between the joyful energy of the colourful background and the slightly anxious execution of the text transforms the piece into a poignant meditation on modern hope.

David Shrigley

Nominated for the Turner Prize in 2013, David Shrigley has established himself as one of the most prominent and internationally celebrated British artists of his generation. His public commissions, including the monumental Really Good sculpture for Trafalgar Square's Fourth Plinth, alongside regular participation in the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, have secured his position in contemporary art history. Works by the artist are held in prestigious public institutions worldwide, including the Tate in London and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

At the core of his practice is a distinctive graphic language that translates the raw spontaneity of ink-on-paper drawing into highly finished graphic editions. Each David Shrigley print acts as a satirical mirror to the absurdities of daily life, making his work highly accessible yet conceptually rigorous. This translation from immediate doodle to refined graphic edition remains central to his global popularity and critical acclaim.

Screenprint Process

Printed on heavy Somerset tub sized 410gsm paper, this publication exemplifies the premium tactile qualities of contemporary fine art screenprinting. The elaborate production process requires twenty-two separate colour separations, resulting in an exceptionally rich ink deposit that is further enhanced by a spot varnish overlay on select graphic elements. This thick, luxurious paper base not only supports the intense saturation of the ink layers but also provides a deckled edge that highlights the artisanal quality of the edition.

This meticulous approach to printmaking ensures that the artist's spontaneous line-work is preserved with absolute clarity and depth of colour. Produced in collaboration with the renowned Jealous Gallery, each David Shrigley limited edition print represents a harmonious marriage of high-concept humour and masterful print studio craftsmanship. The final result is a pristine graphic work that retains the vital, immediate energy of the original drawing while presenting it on an archival, museum-quality scale.

Collectability

With demand for the artist's graphic works remaining consistently high, pieces that feature his most iconic typographic and colour-driven styles generate significant collector interest. The graphic clarity of Let The Sunshine In makes it immediately recognisable, ensuring its strong secondary-market presence alongside his most famous animal and text-based motifs. Collectors are drawn to these bold, text-forward compositions because they encapsulate the quintessential wit that defines his entire oeuvre.

Representing a major colour work from his celebrated 2025 printmaking period, the piece remains a particularly desirable example of Shrigley's printmaking practice due to its low edition run. Published in an edition of 125, the physical scarcity of this release, combined with the growing global audience for his work, positions it as a highly sought-after acquisition. As editions from this vibrant contemporary period enter permanent private collections, availability on the primary and secondary markets continues to tighten.

Artwork Specifications

• Artist: David Shrigley (British, b. 1968)
• Title: Let The Sunshine In
• Medium: 22 colour screenprint with varnish overlay on Somerset tub sized 410gsm paper
• Dimensions: 76 x 56 cm
• Edition: Edition of 125
• Year: 2025
• Publisher: Jealous Gallery
• Markings: Signed and numbered on the back