David Shrigley, Thank You For Keeping Still, 2023

Thank You For Keeping Still (2023) – David Shrigley Screenprint

About the Work

Thank You For Keeping Still (2023) is a striking David Shrigley screenprint that pairs the artist's celebrated deadpan humour with a vivid graphic sensibility. The composition features a curious, multi-legged green creature rendered in energetic brushstrokes of lime and forest green against a pristine, pale background. This central figure stands frozen beneath bold, hand-rendered black text, creating an immediate and arresting visual contrast.

Through this bizarre animal subject, the work explores the existential absurdity of enforced compliance and domesticity. The tension between the creature's potential for chaotic movement and the commanding, polite gratitude of the text highlights the subtle anxieties of social conditioning. By isolating this fragile beast in a vacuum of negative space, the composition transforms a simple instruction into a poignant, funny observation on modern obedience.

David Shrigley

As a nominee for the Turner Prize and the creator of the celebrated Fourth Plinth commission Really Good in Trafalgar Square, David Shrigley has secured an indelible place in contemporary British art. His celebrated contributions to the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition further cement his status as a leading satirical voice. Today, his works are held in the permanent collections of prestigious institutions worldwide, including Tate and the British Council.

While his practice spans sculpture and public installation, drawing remains the vital foundation of his creative output. Translating these spontaneous ink drawings into high-quality graphic editions allows his characteristic line work to reach a broader audience. Owning a David Shrigley print offers collectors immediate access to his direct, unfiltered commentary on the human condition.

Screenprint Process

Published in a highly controlled, numbered run, this edition represents a masterclass in modern graphic production. The execution utilises a complex 12 colour screenprint process, building rich layers of pigment atop heavy Somerset paper to achieve a tactile and deeply saturated finish. A tactile two varnish overlay is applied to selective areas, introducing an elegant play of light that elevates the graphic punch of the green creature.

Working in close collaboration with the master printers at Jealous Gallery, the artist ensures that the printmaking process retains the immediacy of his original felt-tip drawing. This technical precision preserves every deliberate wobble of the line and slight variation in the ink. Consequently, each David Shrigley limited edition print possesses the vibrant energy and physical presence of a unique work on paper.

Collectability

Works featuring the artist's signature text-and-image format consistently generate robust collector interest on the secondary market. The combination of witty text and anthropomorphic subjects represents his most recognisable imagery, making pieces like this highly sought after by acquisitions curators and private individuals alike. This sustained demand underlines the enduring relevance of his humorous critique of contemporary life.

Representing an iconic animal motif from his celebrated 2023 printmaking period, the piece remains a particularly desirable example of the artist's graphic output. Given the modest edition size of just 125, opportunities to acquire Thank You For Keeping Still are increasingly limited. This scarcity, combined with the work's visual impact, ensures its position as an enduringly popular choice for seasoned collectors.