Untitled (I would like to write on your wall with my crayons is that OK?) (2020) – David Shrigley Screenprint

About the Work

Untitled (I would like to write on your wall with my crayons is that OK?) (2020) is a striking David Shrigley screenprint that masterfully balances polite inquiry with domestic subversion. The composition features the eponymous question scrawled in the artist's signature hand-rendered typography, anchored by a series of vibrant, multi-coloured vertical crayon strokes in primary shades of red, blue, green, and yellow. Set against a clean, off-white background, the juxtaposed elements mimic a child's playful transgression while maintaining a sophisticated graphic balance.

This composition channels a sense of domestic absurdity, transforming a polite request into a conceptual challenge about boundaries and artistic licence. By pairing the innocent medium of crayons with the structured nature of a high-quality printed edition, the work highlights the tension between childhood freedom and adult rules. The deliberate simplification of the forms elevates this mundane inquiry into a profound commentary on ownership and public versus private space.

David Shrigley

As a highly celebrated figure in contemporary British art, David Shrigley has achieved global renown for his dry, satirical observations on daily life. Nominated for the Turner Prize in 2013 and selected for the prestigious Fourth Plinth commission in Trafalgar Square, his work is held in major international collections, including Tate and the British Council. His distinctive aesthetic remains a cornerstone of the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, cementing his position as a critical voice in modern satire.

His translation of spontaneous, quick-witted ink drawings into the print medium allows his immediate thoughts to reach a wider audience without losing their raw energy. Each David Shrigley print acts as a cultural mirror, capturing the anxieties and trivialities of the human condition with razor-sharp precision. This transition from sketchpad to gallery wall preserves the intimate, handwritten quality of his original ideas.

Screenprint Process

Utilising the meticulous technique of screenprinting, the creation of this edition required a precise application of multiple ink layers to replicate the raw texture of crayon on paper. Each colour, from the rich vermilion to the deep cobalt, was applied through individual fine-mesh screens onto heavyweight 410gsm Somerset tub-sized paper. This traditional method ensures that the final surface possesses a rich, tactile depth that elevates the deceptively simple illustration.

By employing this hands-on approach, the print studio successfully captures the nuance of the artist’s hand, preserving every wobble and stroke of the original drawing. Published in collaboration with Jealous Gallery, this David Shrigley limited edition print exemplifies how master printmakers can translate casual mark-making into a durable, museum-quality object. The resulting work possesses a graphic clarity and intensity of colour that digital reproduction techniques cannot match.

Collectability

With his distinctive style easily recognisable to collectors worldwide, works that merge text with bright colour bands are highly sought after. This particular printed edition has generated continued collector interest due to its relatability and the characteristic wit that defines the artist's most celebrated output. Such pieces bridge the gap between fine art and cultural phenomenon, making them cornerstones of contemporary collections.

Representing an important text piece from his highly active 2020 publishing period, Untitled (I would like to write on your wall with my crayons is that OK?) remains a particularly desirable example of Shrigley's printmaking practice. Given the modest edition size of 125, opportunities to acquire this specific composition have naturally decreased over time, fostering a strong secondary-market presence. The enduring appeal of this release secures its status as a significant acquisition for both established and emerging art collections.

Artwork Specifications

• Artist: David Shrigley (British, b. 1968)
• Title: Untitled (I would like to write on your wall with my crayons is that OK?)
• Medium: Screenprint in colours
• Dimensions: 75.3 x 56 cm
• Edition: Edition of 125
• Year: 2020
• Markings: Signed, numbered and dated on the back