David Shrigley, Untitled (This Is What You Look Like, Exactly Like This), 2022

Untitled (This Is What You Look Like, Exactly Like This) (2022) – David Shrigley Screenprint

About the Work

Untitled (This Is What You Look Like, Exactly Like This) (2022) is a striking David Shrigley screenprint that confronts the viewer with a characteristically bizarre, multi-coloured abstract figure rendered in bold, spontaneous lines. Placed against a pristine, neutral background, the amorphous central form challenges traditional portraiture through its crude geometry and vibrant hues. The stark juxtaposition of the playful silhouette with the defiant handwritten text exemplifies the artist's celebrated graphic style.

By reducing the human form to a series of chaotic, mismatched shapes, the composition masterfully evokes a sense of existential absurdity. The declarative nature of the text contrasts sharply with the formless figure, satirising our modern preoccupation with self-image and objective truth. Through this deliberate simplification, the work invites a humorous contemplation of identity and the fragility of physical representation.

David Shrigley

Nominated for the Turner Prize in 2013, David Shrigley has secured a formidable position within contemporary art through his biting satire and deceptively simple aesthetic. His high-profile public commissions, including the celebrated Fourth Plinth sculpture in Trafalgar Square and regular appearances at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, have cemented his reputation worldwide. Today, his works are held in prestigious public collections globally, including Tate in London and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

The transition of his quick-fire drawings into the graphic realm allows his signature ink-on-paper style to scale into highly impactful physical spaces. Each David Shrigley print acts as a cultural mirror, capturing the neuroses of contemporary life with unmatched brevity and wit. This translation from raw sketch to refined graphic medium preserves the vital immediacy of his artistic voice.

Screenprint Process

The creation of this work utilises the traditional screenprinting process, where multiple layers of rich, saturated inks are meticulously applied to premium wove paper. This manual stencil method ensures that the intense pigments of the abstract figure retain their vibrant depth, contrasting beautifully with the matte finish of the paper. Every individual colour run is carefully registered to achieve the crisp outlines and saturated fields that define his graphic output.

This demanding method perfectly translates the liquid spontaneity of the original drawing into a highly refined, archival object. Produced in collaboration with Shrig Shop, the David Shrigley limited edition print demonstrates how modern printmaking techniques can elevate humble drawings into monumental statements. The tactile presence of the ink on the heavy wove paper provides a physical quality that digital processes simply cannot replicate.

Collectability

Works that feature direct, text-based addresses and human motifs consistently command strong collector interest within the global secondary art market. This specific composition exemplifies his highly recognisable combination of dark humour and existential commentary, making it highly desirable among serious collectors. As a result, his graphic editions are widely sought after for their immediate visual impact and cultural relevance.

Representing a major colour work from his highly active 2022 publishing period, the piece remains a particularly desirable example of Shrigley's printmaking practice. With a relatively small edition size of just 125, the scarcity of Untitled (This Is What You Look Like, Exactly Like This) has contributed to its sustained market presence and continued appeal. Consequently, acquisitions from this specific output represent highly strategic additions to any contemporary print collection.