David Shrigley, Particles Of Truth, 2019

Particles Of Truth (2019) – David Shrigley Linocut

About the Work

Particles Of Truth (2019) is a striking David Shrigley linocut that translates the artist's signature graphic style into a bold, monochromatic composition. Rendered in deep relief ink on heavy wove paper, the work displays a constellation of irregular, organic black shapes scattered across a stark white field. These abstract forms suggest physical debris or microscopic matter, capturing the viewer's attention through a minimalist aesthetic that balances positive and negative space.

By visualising the grand concept of absolute veracity as fragmented, disparate specks, the composition cheekily addresses the human impulse to categorise and quantify existential meaning. This stark arrangement exemplifies a sense of structural absurdity, proposing that reality is ultimately composed of chaotic, ungenerous fragments rather than a cohesive whole. Through this playful reduction, Particles Of Truth operates as both a visual puzzle and a philosophical jest.

David Shrigley

Nominated for the Turner Prize in 2013, the celebrated British artist has carved out a unique position in contemporary art through his deadpan satire and deceptively crude drawings. His cultural impact is cemented by high-profile public commissions, notably Really Good for the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square, alongside regular inclusion in the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. Today, major museum collections worldwide, including the Tate and the Museum of Modern Art in New York, hold his works as testament to his enduring institutional relevance.

By translating the quick immediacy of his ink sketches into formal graphic editions, the artist preserves the raw energy of his original ideas while elevating them through traditional printmaking techniques. Acquiring a David Shrigley print offers collectors direct access to this celebrated vernacular, which bridges the gap between high-art institutional recognition and accessible cultural commentary. His graphic oeuvre democratises his conceptual wit, making his distinctive line work instantly recognisable to audiences across the globe.

Screenprint Process

Emphasising the physical nature of relief printmaking, the production of this linocut utilises a meticulously hand-carved block to transfer rich, dense ink onto fine wove paper. The heavy ink deposit creates a tactile surface quality that contrasts sharply with his screenprint editions, which typically rely on flat, stencilled layers of colour. This direct relief method ensures that every subtle variation in the hand-cut edges is preserved, offering a raw texture that screenprinting cannot easily replicate.

Working closely with acclaimed print studio Schäfer Grafisk Værksted in Copenhagen, the artist achieves a crispness of line that retains all the vitality of his initial sketch. This meticulous collaborative process ensures that the finished David Shrigley limited edition print possesses a striking graphic depth, comparable to the precise ink delivery found in his most coveted screenprints. Each impression in this edition of 125 represents a flawless execution of the relief medium, highlighting the deliberate relationship between the carved block and the organic paper surface.

Collectability

Collectors consistently seek out the artist's graphic works for their unique combination of dry humour and stark minimalist design. The demand for these editions has driven a robust secondary-market presence, fuelled by a global base of enthusiasts who value his instantly recognisable imagery. Pieces that display this level of graphic economy remain highly sought after, bridging the gap between cartoon illustration and high-calibre printmaking.

Representing a key graphic work from his celebrated 2019 institutional period, the piece remains a particularly desirable example of Shrigley's versatile printmaking practice. With a modest edition size of only 125, Particles Of Truth remains a highly sought-after acquisition for those wishing to expand their holdings of the artist's graphic works. Its regular appearance in curated auctions highlights its continued collector interest and strong secondary-market presence.