Untitled (Art Will Save the World) (2019) – David Shrigley Screenprint

About the Work

Untitled (Art Will Save the World) (2019) is a striking David Shrigley screenprint that pairs a monumentally hopeful text with a dazzling concentric circle design. Featuring twenty-five distinct bands of saturated colour, the composition radiates outward from a dark central core against a clean, brilliant background. This striking juxtaposition of a highly structured, vibrant target-like motif and hand-rendered text represents a quintessential example of the artist's graphic style.

By deploying a bold, hand-drawn typography beneath the colourful geometric form, the work channels an earnest yet characteristically wry optimism. This tension between the grand, utopian claim of the text and the simple, almost childlike circular graphic invites viewers to contemplate the actual societal role of visual culture. The physical separation of the text and the target form prioritises both the visual impact of the palette and the conceptual weight of its titular statement.

David Shrigley

As a Turner Prize nominee and the mind behind the celebrated Fourth Plinth commission 'Really Good' in Trafalgar Square, David Shrigley has secured a pivotal place in contemporary British art. His celebrated contributions to the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and major museum collections worldwide underscore his institutional significance. His work elegantly bridges the gap between high art and popular culture through a highly recognisable graphic lexicon.

Translating spontaneous, ink-on-paper drawings into the demanding medium of fine art printmaking requires a precise technical translation. Each David Shrigley print preserves the immediate, raw energy of his original drawings while elevating the composition through immaculate production values. This meticulous translation ensures his biting cultural observations lose none of their characteristic immediacy.

Screenprint Process

Utilising an exceptionally heavy Somerset satin tub sized 410gsm paper, this work demonstrates an extraordinary tactile presence and structural durability. The printing process involves twenty-five individual hand-pulled colour layers, culminating in a specialised varnish overlay that enhances the richness and depth of each pigment. This heavyweight, archival support allows the dense layers of ink to sit beautifully on the surface, creating a finish that is both matte and vibrant.

To capture the exact nuance of the artist's original ink lines, the print studio Counter Editions executed the production with rigorous attention to registration. This David Shrigley limited edition print exemplifies the high standards of contemporary screenprinting, where complex colour separation meets traditional craftsmanship. The resulting edition preserves the hand-drawn quality of the text while presenting a flawless, saturated surface of striking physical quality.

Collectability

The market for the artist's graphic editions continues to experience robust global demand, driven by strong collector interest in his most iconic text-based compositions. Works that feature both bold graphic motifs and universally resonant statements are particularly coveted by international collectors. This enduring appeal is reinforced by his prominent place in major institutional collections and an exceptionally active secondary market.

Representing a major colour work from his celebrated 2019 Counter Editions printmaking period, the piece remains a particularly desirable example of Shrigley's printmaking practice. With a relatively compact edition size of just 125, opportunities to acquire this specific work have become increasingly infrequent. As a result, Untitled (Art Will Save the World) holds a distinguished position within the artist's modern graphic oeuvre.

Artwork Specifications

• Artist: David Shrigley (British, b. 1968)
• Title: Untitled (Art Will Save the World)
• Medium: 25 colour screenprint with a varnish overlay on Somerset satin tub sized 410gsm
• Dimensions: 75 x 55 cm
• Edition: Edition of 125
• Year: 2019
• Markings: Signed, numbered and dated on the back