David Shrigley, Untitled (We Hate Human Beings), 2022

Untitled (We Hate Human Beings) (2022) – David Shrigley Screenprint

About the Work

Untitled (We Hate Human Beings) (2022) is a striking David Shrigley screenprint that immediately arrests the viewer with its characteristically bold palette and biting wit. The composition features a cluster of monochromatic, bird-like creatures silhouetted against a brilliant yellow backdrop, staring forward with defiant, blank expressions. Above these avian figures, the hand-rendered text delivers its stark, misanthropic declaration in the artist's signature block lettering.

By projecting human cynicism onto these simplistic wildlife figures, the work operates in a space of pure existential absurdity. The tension between the cheerful luminosity of the sunny yellow background and the dark, collective hostility of the creatures subverts the traditional sentimentality associated with nature illustration. This unsettling juxtaposition forces a confrontation with our own species' anxieties through a lens of dark comedy.

David Shrigley

Nominated for the Turner Prize in 2013, David Shrigley has secured a celebrated position in contemporary art through his satirical observations of daily life. His public commissions, including the monumental Fourth Plinth sculpture in Trafalgar Square and his regular participation in the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, have cemented his status as a key chronicler of British culture. His works are held in premier institutional collections worldwide, including Tate and the British Council.

The transition from spontaneous ink drawings to the formal graphic medium of printmaking allows his immediate, raw aesthetic to be preserved with exceptional clarity. Each David Shrigley print translates his distinctive, deceptively simple linework into a highly structured visual experience, elevating casual sketchbook observations into lasting graphic statements. This deliberate translation ensures that his characteristic humour retains its sharp edge in a refined gallery format.

Screenprint Process

Published in collaboration with the renowned Jealous Gallery in London, this screenprint demonstrates the exceptional production standards of one of the UK's leading print studios. The screenprinting process utilises multiple layers of rich ink to achieve the deep opacity of the black figures and the intense saturation of the yellow field on heavy wove paper. This meticulous ink application provides a tactile, matte surface quality that cannot be replicated by digital printing methods.

The print studio expertly translates the fluid immediacy of the original drawing into a refined graphic edition, retaining every minor imperfection of the hand-drawn text. By choosing screenprinting, the artist and the publisher ensure that the energy of the initial mark-making is perfectly preserved. This makes each David Shrigley limited edition print both a testament to his spontaneous practice and a pristine example of contemporary master printing.

Collectability

As demand for the artist's graphic works continues to grow, pieces featuring his iconic creature designs generate significant collector interest globally. The recognizable combination of avian imagery and confrontational text makes Untitled (We Hate Human Beings) an exceptionally representative example of his sought-after aesthetic. Such works enjoy a highly active secondary market, driven by the cross-generational appeal of his dark British humour.

Representing a highly coveted animal motif from his celebrated 2022 printmaking period, the piece remains a particularly desirable example of Shrigley's output. Produced in a relatively modest edition of 125, the scarcity of this release contributes to its strong secondary-market presence. Collectors value this specific run for its graphic impact and its alignment with the most celebrated themes of his career.