David Shrigley, Old Dog, I Still Love You, 2021

Old Dog, I Still Love You (2021) – David Shrigley Screenprint

About the Work

Old Dog, I Still Love You (2021) is an engaging David Shrigley screenprint that immediately arrests the viewer with its stark, saturated yellow background and heavy black ink lines. Centring on a crudely rendered, blocky canine form, the composition utilises deliberate graphic simplification to capture the essence of a weary companion. Bold, hand-rendered text sits alongside the central figure, reinforcing the deadpan delivery that defines the artist's celebrated oeuvre.

By pairing a heavily outlined, slightly dejected animal with such a literal label, the work evokes a poignant sense of melancholy wrapped in existential humour. The physical tension between the bright, optimistic yellow backdrop and the heavy, drooping silhouette of the subject reflects the universal experience of ageing and vulnerability. This deliberate contrast transforms what could be a simple illustration into a profound commentary on the passage of time.

David Shrigley

Celebrated for his razor-sharp wit and deceptively simple aesthetic, the nominated Turner Prize artist has secured a formidable position in contemporary British art. From his monumental Fourth Plinth commission in London's Trafalgar Square to his frequent appearances at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, his output spans public sculpture, painting, and graphic editions. His works are held in prestigious public institutions worldwide, including the Tate and the British Council.

Translating the immediacy of spontaneous line drawings into structured multiples requires a delicate balance of technical precision and loose execution. Acquiring a David Shrigley print offers collectors direct access to this celebrated graphic vocabulary, preserving the raw energy of his original ink-on-paper works. The medium of printmaking serves to standardise and amplify his unique hand, elevating casual musings into iconic contemporary relics.

Screenprint Process

Utilising a meticulous hand-pulled screenprinting method, each impression of Old Dog, I Still Love You achieves an exceptional depth of colour through heavily layered ink deposits. The rich, flat yellow background is applied with absolute uniformity, contrasting sharply with the tactile, slightly raised black ink of the dog and text. Printed on heavy Somerset tub sized 400gsm paper, the archival substrate provides a robust texture that elevates the overall graphic presentation.

This demanding technical process, executed in collaboration with Jealous Gallery, ensures that the character of the original ink stroke remains perfectly preserved. Every minor imperfection and wobble in the line is replicated with fidelity, giving this David Shrigley limited edition print the vibrant presence of an original drawing. By choosing the screenprinting medium, the publisher captures the tactile quality of the ink, which sits proudly on the surface of the premium cotton paper.

Collectability

Graphic works featuring animal motifs represent some of the most sought-after pieces within the artist's market, consistently generating high levels of collector interest. The immediate readability of the canine subject matter combined with dry humour makes such compositions highly prioritised by contemporary art enthusiasts. Consequently, acquisitions from this thematic group are widely recognised as cornerstone examples of modern graphic editions.

Representing a highly popular animal motif from his 2021 printmaking period, the piece remains a particularly desirable example of Shrigley's printmaking practice. With an edition size of just 125, this work offers a compelling balance of scarcity and market presence. Its enduring appeal is supported by a robust secondary-market presence and continued collector interest internationally.