David Shrigley, You Will Not Stop Me From Singing My Song, 2021

You Will Not Stop Me From Singing My Song (2021) – David Shrigley Screenprint

About the Work

You Will Not Stop Me From Singing My Song (2021) is a striking David Shrigley screenprint that pairs an intensely vibrant avian figure with a bold declaration of defiance. Rendered in twenty-seven distinct colours, the central bird boasts a kaleidoscopic arrangement of red, blue, green, and yellow plumage set against a clean, crisp background. This complex palette showcases the artist's ability to elevate simple line drawings into visually arresting compositions.

The composition leverages the raw energy of absurdism, presenting a comically misshapen creature that claims its voice despite its inherently ridiculous form. By rendering the bird's open beak and wide-eyed gaze in flat, saturated tones, the work captures a sense of joyful, obstinate determination in the face of external suppression. This juxtaposition of a child-like illustration with a profound message of perseverance illustrates why the work resonates so deeply within contemporary culture.

David Shrigley

Nominated for the Turner Prize in 2013, David Shrigley has secured a formidable position in contemporary art through his celebrated public commissions and institutional exhibitions. His monumental Fourth Plinth installation in Trafalgar Square, Really Good, alongside frequent appearances at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, has cemented his status as a leading chronicler of British life. Examples of his work are held in prestigious public collections worldwide, including Tate and the British Museum.

While initially celebrated for his quick-witted ink drawings and daily observations, the artist has seamlessly translated this immediate aesthetic into highly accomplished editioned works. Acquiring a David Shrigley print offers collectors an entry into his deceptively simple graphic universe, where dark humour meets existential curiosity. This transition from sketch to structured edition preserves the raw immediacy of his original line while elevating the physical presence of the image.

Screenprint Process

Produced in collaboration with London's acclaimed Jealous Gallery, You Will Not Stop Me From Singing My Song demonstrates an exceptional standard of technical execution. The production utilises a complex screenprinting process requiring twenty-seven individual colour separations, resulting in incredibly rich, opaque layers of ink. Printed on heavyweight Somerset Tub Sized 410gsm paper, the composition is completed with a subtle varnish overlay that adds physical depth to the central figure.

This meticulous approach to screenprinting ensures that the spontaneity of the original drawing is preserved with remarkable precision and clarity. Each David Shrigley limited edition print published by Jealous Gallery reflects a rigorous translation of ink on paper, rendering the signature hand-rendered typography with sharp definition. By utilising multiple hand-pulled screens, the studio achieves a tactile quality that distinguishes these editions from standard digital reproductions.

Collectability

Imagery featuring defiant text and animal motifs remains amongst the most sought-after categories in the artist's secondary market, attracting widespread collector interest. The immediate graphic appeal of these characters, combined with humorous, universally relatable declarations, makes these compositions highly recognisable. Consequently, works that balance text and graphic illustration tend to be highly prioritised by seasoned collectors.

Representing a major colour work from his celebrated 2021 printmaking period, the piece remains a particularly desirable example of his printmaking practice. With a modest edition size of just 125, the scarcity of this limited edition contributes to its continued appeal among global collectors. As his institutional profile continues to grow, these vibrant, multi-layered screenprints remain central to discussions of his graphic legacy.