David Shrigley, Tiger Shit, 2021

Tiger Shit (2021) – David Shrigley Screenprint

About the Work

Tiger Shit (2021) is an exceptionally bold David Shrigley screenprint that confronts viewers with a starkly amusing graphic of an orange-striped big cat next to a small, simplified mound of dung. Rendered in the artist's signature illustrative style, the composition utilises highly saturated primary orange and black tones against a minimalist, pale grey background to command immediate attention. The deliberate juxtaposition of a majestic apex predator with its raw bodily output epitomises the crude, direct visual delivery that has made the British artist a global sensation.

By reducing the fearsome beast to an ordinary creature experiencing a mundane physical reality, the work subverts traditional wildlife portraiture with calculated absurdity. This subversion highlights the fragile boundaries between human dignity and animal nature, rendering a profound philosophical inquiry disguised as a simple, childlike caricature. The hand-scrawled text acts as a blunt label, leaving no room for polite ambiguity and forcing an immediate, visceral reaction from the viewer.

David Shrigley

Nominated for the Turner Prize in 2013, David Shrigley has secured an indelible position in contemporary British art through his dry, satirical observations of daily life. His public commissions, notably the giant thumbs-up sculpture Really Good on Trafalgar Square's Fourth Plinth, alongside regular inclusion in the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, have cemented his reputation. Today, his works reside in prestigious permanent collections worldwide, including Tate London and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Translating his spontaneous, ink-on-paper drawings into graphic editions allows his characteristic line work to gain a clean, monumental presence. Acquiring a David Shrigley print offers collectors an accessible entry point into this celebrated visual vernacular, where existential dread is rendered profoundly humorous. This specific graphic language relies heavily on the tension between rough draughtsmanship and high-quality artistic execution.

Screenprint Process

Released in a strictly restricted release, this work highlights the meticulous hand-pulled screenprinting technique that elevates the artist's deceptive simplicity. The production involves multiple layers of rich, opaque ink applied to heavy Somerset archival paper, resulting in a rich velvet-like texture that digital reproduction cannot replicate. A subtle matte varnish overlay protects the intense pigment density, ensuring the contrasting orange and black hues remain exceptionally vibrant.

This demanding manual method perfectly captures the fluid energy of the original ink brushstrokes, preserving the raw immediacy of the artist's hand. Published as a David Shrigley limited edition print in collaboration with renowned print studio Jealous Gallery, the edition achieves a flawless balance between industrial precision and spontaneous creative gesture. The resulting physical object carries a tactile quality that elevates the graphic humour into the realm of fine art.

Collectability

High-quality editions featuring the artist's iconic beasts consistently command strong secondary-market presence due to their universal appeal and instantly recognisable aesthetic. Global collector interest remains exceptionally robust, driven by the cross-generational appeal of his dark British humour and sharp cultural commentary. These works sit comfortably in both cutting-edge contemporary portfolios and classical print collections.

Representing a highly sought-after animal motif from his celebrated 2021 publishing period, Tiger Shit remains a particularly desirable example of the artist's printmaking practice. With the edition size restricted to just 125 hand-signed examples, opportunities to acquire this specific work have become increasingly rare. As a result, the composition continues to attract significant attention from discerning collectors seeking to secure a definitive moment in his graphic oeuvre.