David Shrigley, Untitled (Hand), 2005

Untitled (Hand) (2005) – David Shrigley Woodcut

About the Work

*Untitled (Hand)* (2005) is a striking David Shrigley woodcut that translates the artist's signature Untitled (Hand)-drawn style into the bold, graphic realm of relief printmaking. Executed in a stark monochrome palette, the composition features a crudely rendered Untitled (Hand) silhouetted against a crisp white background. This early print avoids the typical text-based narrative of his later screenprint releases, relying instead on pure, raw graphic form.

By reducing the central motif in *Untitled (Hand)* to its most basic, disproportionate outlines, the composition captures a profound sense of absurdity and existential playfulness. The deliberately awkward lines and uneven fingers challenge traditional anatomical drawing, transforming a universal physical gesture into a humorous, questioning emblem. This minimalist approach emphasises how the artist can evoke complex psychological responses through the simplest of visual marks.

David Shrigley

Widely celebrated for his satirical take on everyday life, the Turner Prize nominee has established himself as one of the most prominent figures in contemporary British art. His celebrated public commissions, including the Fourth Plinth sculpture in Trafalgar Square and major installations at the Royal Academy, have secured his place in leading international museum collections.

This artistic practice bridges the gap between casual, spontaneous drawing and the rigorous demands of fine art editioning. Every David Shrigley print acts as a tactile record of his creative philosophy, preserving the immediate, unfiltered quality of his original ink-on-paper works.

Screenprint Process

Collaborative printmaking has always been central to the artist's vision, and this woodcut edition represents a significant partnership with Stephen Friedman Gallery. Unlike his subsequent multi-colour screenprint editions, this rare woodcut relies on a single block of Untitled (Hand)-cut wood pressed onto heavy Arches paper to achieve its deep, rich ink density. The resulting impression showcases the physical textures of the wood grain alongside the stark black ink.

Though the artist is widely recognised for his prolific screenprinting output, this early woodcut demonstrates how alternative print mediums can beautifully translate his quick-witted line. Acquiring this David Shrigley limited edition print offers collectors a rare glimpse into his early printmaking history, produced during a highly creative period of publishing partnerships.

Collectability

Because the artist's graphic vocabulary is so universally understood, works featuring core bodily motifs command significant collector interest on the secondary market. The simplicity of the imagery ensures that his early prints remain highly visible and immediately recognisable within the global art community.

Representing a rare woodcut from his celebrated 2005 institutional period, the piece remains a particularly desirable example of Shrigley's early printmaking practice. With a remarkably small edition size of just 20, this work is exceptionally scarce compared to his later, larger screenprint releases, which fuels its continued collector interest.