To Hell With Zoos (2021) – David Shrigley Screenprint

About the Work

To Hell With Zoos (2021) is a striking David Shrigley screenprint that showcases the artist's deadpan humour and sharp social commentary. The work features a solemn penguin alongside the hand-rendered text 'Free the penguins first', delivering an absurdist critique of zoos, captivity and the human tendency to impose order upon the natural world.

By presenting a plea from the perspective of the penguin, Shrigley exposes the absurdity of human attitudes towards captivity and conservation, using humour to raise uncomfortable questions about our relationship with the natural world.

David Shrigley

David Shrigley is a prominent British contemporary artist widely recognised for his mordant wit and ability to expose the absurdities of modern life. A Turner Prize nominee, Shrigley has been featured in the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and has received significant recognition, including the high-profile Fourth Plinth commission in Trafalgar Square.

His work is represented in major museum collections globally, confirming his status as a central figure in the contemporary art world. This David Shrigley print exemplifies his unique ability to transform everyday language into a memorable visual statement while translating the immediacy of his drawings into a refined editioned format.

Screenprint Process

This David Shrigley screenprint utilises a sophisticated 8-colour process to translate the raw immediacy of the artist's original drawing into a clean, graphic aesthetic. The addition of a varnish overlay enhances the surface depth, ensuring the print rewards close inspection on its heavy Somerset satin tub-sized 410gsm paper.

The technical precision of his established printmaking practice guarantees that each David Shrigley limited edition print serves as an enduring, high-fidelity object of contemporary art. Published by Galleri Nicolai Wallner in Copenhagen, the edition preserves the vibrant, layered richness of the original ink work.

Collectability

David Shrigley screenprints remain highly sought-after among international collectors, with interest supported by the artist's enduring popularity and strong institutional recognition. Pieces featuring Shrigley's most recognisable imagery are increasingly prioritised by collectors looking to acquire important examples of his printed work.

Limited to an edition of 125, To Hell With Zoos benefits from a level of scarcity that has helped sustain long-term interest in David Shrigley's editions. Published during a particularly sought-after period of the artist's printmaking practice, the work continues to appeal to collectors drawn to Shrigley's combination of humour, social observation and distinctive visual language.

Artwork Specifications

• Artist: David Shrigley (British, b. 1968)
• Title: To Hell With Zoos
• Medium: 8 colour screenprint with a varnish overlay on Somerset satin tub sized 410gsm
• Dimensions: 75 x 56 cm
• Edition: Edition of 125
• Year: 2021
• Publisher: Galleri Nicolai Wallner
• Markings: Signed and numbered on the back