David Shrigley, Strive For Excellence, 2020

Strive For Excellence (2020) – David Shrigley Screenprint

About the Work

Strive For Excellence (2020) is a striking David Shrigley screenprint that juxtaposes the artist's signature line work with a deceptively motivational motif. The composition features a hand-rendered yellow trophy outlined in heavy black ink, positioned against a stark background that emphasizes the graphic immediacy of the illustration.

By pairing the celebratory symbol of a trophy with the deadpan demand to "Strive For Excellence," the work skewers the relentless pressure of contemporary self-improvement culture. This tension between the crude, imperfect draftsmanship and the high-achievement message illustrates the absurdity that defines much of the artist's celebrated oeuvre.

David Shrigley

As a Turner Prize nominee and recipient of the high-profile Fourth Plinth commission in Trafalgar Square, David Shrigley has secured a pivotal position in contemporary British art. His celebrated practice spans drawing, sculpture, and public installations, earning him representation in major international museum collections.

His work often translates the raw immediacy of his sketchbook drawings into highly finished graphic editions. Each David Shrigley print acts as a satirical mirror, offering viewers a sharp, unfiltered commentary on the mundane aspects of daily life.

Screenprint Process

Printed on heavyweight Somerset Tub Sized paper, this graphic edition showcases the exceptional tactile quality inherent to traditional screenprinting. The application of rich, opaque yellow and deep black inks creates a velvety surface texture that elevates the simple line drawing into a powerful physical presence.

This meticulous production method ensures that the energetic spontaneity of the original drawing is preserved with absolute fidelity. Published by Jealous Gallery in London, the David Shrigley limited edition print stands as a testament to the collaborative synergy between the artist and master printers.

Collectability

Works that incorporate text and iconic symbolic objects enjoy considerable collector interest due to their instant visual recognition. The clear, graphic nature of Strive For Excellence makes it a defining example of the artist's sought-after text-based compositions.

Representing an important text piece from his highly active 2020 printmaking period, the work remains a particularly desirable example of Shrigley's printmaking practice. Given the highly restricted edition size of just 48, this release attracts continued collector interest within a robust secondary market.