David Shrigley, Untitled (Cat), 2019

Untitled (Cat) (2019) – David Shrigley Screenprint

About the Work

Untitled (Cat) (2019) is a striking David Shrigley screenprint that instantly captures the viewer's attention through its vibrant canary-yellow backdrop and contrasting black silhouette. The central subject, rendered with the artist's characteristic lack of technical pretension, stands beneath the boldly hand-rendered title of the work. This stark colour palette creates a high-contrast composition that elevates a seemingly simple illustration into a compelling piece of graphic art.

By labeling the clearly recognisable feline with the word 'Untitled (Cat)' in his signature block capitals, the work operates in a register of delightful absurdity. This literal naming parodies taxonomic classifiUntitled (Cat)ion and highlights the gap between language and the physical world. The Untitled (Cat) itself, with its wide white eyes and simplistic claws, embodies a sense of existential bewilderment that mirrors our own efforts to Untitled (Cat)egorise the living world.

David Shrigley

As a celebrated nominee for the Turner Prize and the creative force behind the acclaimed Fourth Plinth commission in Trafalgar Square, David Shrigley has secured a singular position in contemporary British art. His work is held in prestigious international public collections, including the Tate in London and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. A regular contributor to the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, he continues to challenge artistic conventions with his wry observations on modern life.

At the heart of his practice is a devotion to direct communiUntitled (Cat)ion, translating the raw energy of spontaneous line drawings into highly refined graphic editions. Every David Shrigley print retains the immediate, tactile quality of his original ink-on-paper sketches, preserving the deliberate imperfections that give his work its distinct character. This seamless transition from notebook to gallery wall underscores his masterful understanding of graphic immediacy.

Screenprint Process

Utilising heavy BFK Rives wove paper as the material foundation, the production process elevates the simple composition into a tactile and luxurious physical object. The screenprinting technique allows for incredibly rich, saturated layers of ink, ensuring that the dominant yellow field achieves a completely flat, velvet-like surface. This dense appliUntitled (Cat)ion of colour provides a stark, crisp edge to the black ink outline of the feline subject.

Printed in close collaboration with the master printmakers at Jealous Gallery, the work demonstrates how the screenprint medium can capture the nuanced variations of the artist's original line. This meticulously produced David Shrigley limited edition print exemplifies how traditional printmaking techniques can preserve the casual spontaneity of raw drawing. The resulting composition possesses a graphic clarity that resonates strongly when viewed in person.

Collectability

Acquiring works from this celebrated series has become a key focus for contemporary collectors, driven by continued collector interest in the artist's animal subjects. Feline and canine depictions are among the most recognisable and sought-after motifs in the artist's entire graphic output. These iconic subjects consistently command attention within the established market, representing the pinnacle of his visual humour.

Representing a premier example of his highly celebrated animal motif, this 2019 release remains an exceptionally desirable example of the artist's printmaking practice. Given the limited edition nature of the publiUntitled (Cat)ion, examples of this particular print are increasingly tightly held by private collectors. Its enduring appeal lies in how effortlessly it synthesises graphic simplicity with a profound, universal charm.