David Shrigley, Tea, 2020

Tea (2020) – David Shrigley Screenprint

About the Work

Tea (2020) is a striking David Shrigley etching on Somerset paper that captures the artist's distinct visual vocabulary through a deceptively simple composition. Executed with a rich black line against a clean, off-white background, the work depicts a sTeaming Teacup rendered with his signature childlike line-work. While the artist is globally celebrated for his bold colour works, Tea highlights his mastery of stark monochrome and minimalist satire.

This composition utilises the mundane motif of a warm beverage to highlight the inherent absurdity of everyday human rituals. By stripping the image of any domestic context, the minimalist line-work elevates a routine comfort into an object of existential contemplation. The rising sTeam is reduced to simple wavy lines, transforming a comforting sensory experience into a humorous, flat signifier of domesticity.

David Shrigley

Nominated for the Turner Prize in 2013, the artist has secured a formidable position in contemporary British art through his irreverent satire and public installations. His celebrated Fourth Plinth commission, Really Good, and frequent inclusions in the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition have cemented his status across both institutional and public spheres. Today, major museum collections worldwide, including Tate and the British Council, hold his works.

His celebrated graphic output translates seamlessly into the print medium, maintaining the raw energy of his original ink drawings. Acquiring a David Shrigley print allows collectors to engage directly with his unique worldview, where profound existential questions are disguised as casual doodles. The tactile quality of his printed editions preserves the spontaneous, immediate charm that defines his globally recognised practice.

Screenprint Process

Expanding upon standard graphic techniques, the printmaking process for this work relies on the intimate tactile qualities of traditional copper plate etching. Printed on premium 250gsm Somerset paper, the technique delivers deep, velvety black lines that hold a physical presence on the page, distinct from the flat ink of a standard screenprint. The heavy paper stock absorbs the rich intaglio ink, creating a subtle plate mark that frames the minimalist design.

This demanding intaglio technique beautifully captures the subtle variations in his hand-drawn lines, preserving every slight tremor and ink pooling. Published by Galleri Nicolai Wallner, this David Shrigley limited edition print demonstrates a refined master-printer collaboration that elevates the artist's casual aesthetic into a sophisticated physical object. The resulting impression retains the freshness of a direct sketch while offering the archival longevity of a classic fine-art edition.

Collectability

The market for the artist's work continues to show robust collector interest, particularly for compositions featuring his most relatable domestic motifs. The Teapot and cup imagery represents some of his most instantly recognisable iconography, appealing directly to those who appreciate his dry, British humour. These monochromatic, text-based prints remain highly sought after for their immediate visual impact and universal appeal.

Representing an institutional period of his celebrated printmaking career, the piece remains a particularly desirable example of Shrigley's graphic practice. This tiny release size makes the work highly sought after compared to his larger screenprint editions, securing its strong secondary-market presence. Collectors prioritised this particular run for its rarity, making it a cornerstone for serious acquisitions of his 2020 output.