David Shrigley, My Artwork is Terrible and I Am a Very Bad Person, 2018

My Artwork is Terrible and I Am a Very Bad Person (2018) – David Shrigley Linocut

About the Work

My Artwork is Terrible and I Am a Very Bad Person (2018) is a striking David Shrigley linocut on Somerset paper that confronts the viewer with a stark, hand-carved block of monochromatic text. Executed in a bold, rich black ink against the textured off-white of the paper, the composition bypasses illustrative whimsy in favour of a raw, graphic declaration. This deliberate aesthetic simplicity highlights the tactile qualities of the relief printmaking process, where the negative space vibrates with subtle imperfections left by the artist's gouging tools.

By combining a confession of artistic inadequacy with a declaration of moral failing, the print operates within a register of pitch-black Absurdity. The text layout mimics a formal manifesto, yet the message itself completely undermines the authority of the creator, transforming existential dread into a shared, cathartic joke. This tension between the physical permanence of the print and the fleeting insecurity of its statement defines the psychological depth of the work.

David Shrigley

Nominated for the Turner Prize in 2013 and widely celebrated for his monumental Fourth Plinth commission in Trafalgar Square, the artist occupies a unique position in contemporary British art. His dry commentary on the mundane aspects of daily life has been institutionalised through major solo exhibitions at the Hayward Gallery and his election as a Royal Academician. Works by the artist are held in prestigious public institutions worldwide, including the Tate and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Translating his signature ink-on-paper drawings into the realm of screenprints and fine art editions allows for a compelling tension between spontaneity and mechanical replication. Collectors often seek out these printed works because they preserve the raw, unfiltered energy of his notebook sketches while magnifying their scale and tactile presence. Acquiring a David Shrigley print offers a direct encounter with this celebrated visual language, bridging the gap between high art and democratic satire.

Screenprint Process

Utilising a highly controlled limited edition size of 125, the production of this work prioritised structural definition and ink density over mass replication. While the artist is widely recognised for his graphic screenprint editions, this particular relief print relies on the physical gouging of a linoleum block to create its imposing text. The hand-printed black ink sits heavily on the textured Somerset paper, creating a debossed quality that is distinct from the flat surface of a traditional screenprint.

This tactile depth elevates the text from a simple graphic to a sculptural object, preserving the spontaneous toolmarks of the studio. Published by Stephen Friedman Gallery, the project showcases how printmaking can immortalise a passing thought into a monument of self-deprecation. Each impression of this David Shrigley limited edition print stands as a testament to the collaborative craft between the artist and his master printers.

Collectability

Significant collector interest continues to surround the artist's text-based works, which are widely considered the purest distillation of his creative philosophy. The immediate legibility of My Artwork is Terrible and I Am a Very Bad Person makes it highly recognisable, ensuring its strong secondary-market presence. These bold typographic compositions are frequently prioritised by collectors for their ease of display and instantly recognisable humour.

Representing an important text piece from his celebrated 2018 printmaking period, the piece remains a particularly desirable example of Shrigley's graphic practice. Given the compact limited edition size of 125, opportunities to acquire this specific work have become increasingly rare on the secondary market. The enduring appeal of this edition highlights the robust demand for the artist's most transgressive and self-reflective statements.