David Shrigley, Vote (Set of 8 - Vertical), 2020

Vote (Set of 8 - Vertical) (2020) – David Shrigley Print

About the Work

Vote (Set of 8 - Vertical) (2020) is an arresting David Shrigley screenprint suite that employs vibrant, contrasting colour fields to command immediate physical attention. Across eight individual panels, the single imperative word is rendered in the artist's signature hand-drawn typography, set against striking backdrops of primary yellow, saturated red, deep blue, and stark black. The vertical alignment of the text forces an unfamiliar, slightly destabilised reading of a highly familiar word.

By stacking the letters vertically, the composition introduces a sense of systemic pressure and structural anxiety, mirroring the claustrophobic tension of modern democratic processes. The deliberately imperfect, trembling outlines of the characters offset the authoritative command, transforming a simple civic duty into an unsettling, existential prompt. This tension between the bold palette and the fragile hand of the artist captures the psychological weight of contemporary political engagement.

David Shrigley

Nominated for the Turner Prize in 2013, the celebrated British artist has carved a distinctive niche in contemporary art through his biting commentary and deceptively naive aesthetic. His monumental public commission for Trafalgar Square's Fourth Plinth, alongside regular inclusion in the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, has cemented his status as a vital observer of modern life. Works by the artist are held in prestigious public collections globally, including the Tate and the British Council.

The transition of his immediate, spontaneous ink drawings into refined studio editions allows his satirical observations to scale beautifully for gallery environments. Acquiring a David Shrigley print offers collectors an unmediated encounter with the dry humour and philosophical enquiry that defines his wider practice. Through these graphic editions, the artist democratises his visual language while preserving the raw immediacy of his original notebooks.

Print Process

Utilising heavy wove Somerset paper to support the dense application of ink, this suite showcases the tactile qualities of traditional studio printing. Each sheet in the set features multiple layers of rich pigment, resulting in a velvety, matte finish that gives the bold colour blocks a deep physical presence. The substantial weight of the cotton paper provides a luxurious, archival substrate that anchors the vibrant palette of each composition.

Every screenprint within this David Shrigley limited edition print portfolio was masterfully produced in collaboration with Stephen Friedman Gallery, ensuring the exact registration of the artist's characteristically shaky lines. The screenprinting process perfectly translates the fluid, immediate nature of his original ink work into a highly controlled, editioned format. This precise mechanical execution creates a captivating contrast with the organic, human irregularities of the hand-drawn text.

Collectability

The market for the artist's graphic works continues to demonstrate robust global demand, driven by the universal resonance of his text-based compositions. Collectors frequently seek out his multi-part portfolios, which offer a comprehensive look at his thematic investigations and possess strong visual impact when displayed together. This enduring collector interest highlights the significance of his graphic output within the wider contemporary art market.

Representing an important text piece from his highly active 2020 publishing period, Vote (Set of 8 - Vertical) remains a particularly desirable example of his politically charged work. With a relatively compact edition size of 125, complete sets of these eight distinct prints are increasingly scarce on the secondary market. The portfolio's thematic relevance and bold graphic style ensure its continued appeal among institutional and private collectors alike.