David Shrigley, Passport Photo #2, 2009

Passport Photo #2 (2009) – David Shrigley Screenprint

About the Work

Passport Photo #2 (2009) is a striking David Shrigley photographic work that cheekily subverts the rigid conventions of official identity documents. Rendered in a stark, monochromatic palette, the image features an unsettlingly vacant, raw clay head positioned against a neutral grey studio background. This miniature composition plays masterfully on the tension between official documentation and artistic abstraction.

By rendering an inanimate, crudely fashioned figure in the strict format of government identification, the artist highlights the absolute absurdity of bureaucratic systems that attempt to categorise human existence. The deliberate lack of defining features on the subject evokes a sense of comic existential dread, transforming a mundane portrait into a profound commentary on institutional conformity. Through this lens, the work challenges viewers to reflect on the arbitrary nature of modern identity constructs.

David Shrigley

Renowned for his biting satire and deceptively crude aesthetic, the celebrated British artist has secured a formidable position in contemporary art history. A nominee for the prestigious Turner Prize in 2013, his public commissions include the acclaimed Fourth Plinth sculpture in London's Trafalgar Square. His work is held in major international public collections, including Tate and the British Council.

While widely celebrated for his ink drawings, his translation of these spontaneous compositions into graphic editions has expanded his reach to global audiences. Each David Shrigley print acts as a democratic extension of his conceptual practice, offering collectors access to his distinctively wry observations. His printmaking remains a central pillar of his creative output, translating fleeting thoughts into enduring physical statements.

Screenprint Process

Utilising premium photographic paper rather than his traditional heavy Somerset paper, this specific edition demonstrates the artist's versatility across diverse physical mediums. The crisp contrast of the silver gelatin style print mirrors the bold, ink-heavy lines found in his famed screenprint editions. This careful material selection allows the subtle textures of the sculpted model to emerge with exceptional clarity.

Capturing the raw spontaneity of the original three-dimensional object requires a meticulous replication process that mirrors the precision of his screenprinting studios. Published in collaboration with Stephen Friedman Gallery, this David Shrigley limited edition print exemplifies the high production values associated with his most celebrated editions. The resulting work preserves the tactile immediacy of the artist's hand-sculpted subject.

Collectability

The market for his work has seen sustained growth, driven by a broad international collector base that values his instantly recognisable style. This particular piece attracts significant collector interest due to its clever departure from his traditional text-based output. It occupies a unique niche that bridges his sculptural, photographic, and graphic practices.

Representing a rare photographic exploration from his highly influential institutional period of the late 2000s, the piece remains a particularly desirable example of his conceptual range. With an edition size of just 100, the work is highly sought after by collectors looking to diversify their holdings beyond his standard works on paper. Its limited availability ensures its enduring appeal within the secondary art market.