Before you can entertain others,
2021
David Shrigley
Print : paper, Screen Print
76 x 56 x 1 cm 29.9 x 22 x 0.4 inch
$5,955
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About the artwork
Type
Numbered and limited to 125 copies
1 copy available
Signature
Hand-signed by artist
Authenticity
Sold with certificate of Authenticity from the gallery
Invoice from the gallery
Medium
Dimensions cm • inch
76 x 56 x 1 cm 29.9 x 22 x 0.4 inch Height x Width x Depth
Support
Framing
Not framed
Tags
Artwork sold in perfect condition
Artwork location: Spain
Medium: Screen print and varnish on Somerset Satin paper.
is a limited edition by the renowned British artist David Shrigley, characterized by his unmistakable graphic style and peculiar sense of humor. This screen print, created in 14 colors with a layer of varnish, stands out for its vibrant visual presence and enigmatic message.
The work is printed on high-quality paper and belongs to a limited edition, with each copy hand-numbered and signed by the artist. Its meticulous execution enhances the impact of color and texture, key elements in Shrigley's visual language.
At the top of the composition is the text "Before you can entertain others", while the rest of the message is placed at the bottom of the image. Between these texts, the central space of the work is dominated by a series of hands in different positions, forming shadow puppets. This image evokes childhood play and creativity but can also be interpreted as a metaphor for perception and illusion.
The shadows created by the hands seem to represent different animal shapes, adding a playful touch to the work. However, in the context of the message, these figures may also allude to the need to practice and master an art before presenting it to others. This duality between humor and introspection is a constant in Shrigley's artistic production.
The contrast between the background and the hands, along with the overlay of the text, reinforces the communicative strength of the piece. At first glance, the viewer may perceive it as a simple and direct scene, but upon closer observation, multiple possible interpretations emerge.
With , David Shrigley once again challenges the audience's perception, playing with the absurd and the everyday to provoke reflection. His ability to transform seemingly trivial scenes into statements full of meaning reaffirms his position as one of the most singular and insightful voices in contemporary art.
Imagine it at home
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Presentation
David Shrigley, born on September 17, 1968, in Macclesfield, is a British visual artist known for his distinctive graphic style and absurdist humor. A graduate in Environmental Art from the Glasgow School of Art in 1991, he lived in Glasgow for 27 years before relocating to Brighton and Devon in 2015.
His work, characterized by intentionally naïve line drawings accompanied by ironic text, offers a sharp and humorous commentary on the absurdities of everyday life. Although drawing is central to his practice, Shrigley also works with sculpture, animation, photography, music, and installations. Among his notable projects are the monumental sculpture Really Good (2016), installed on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square, London, and the exhibition Pulped Fiction (2023), in which he pulped 6,000 copies of The Da Vinci Code to reprint George Orwell's 1984.
Shrigley was nominated for the Turner Prize in 2013 and was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2020 for his services to visual arts. He also received an honorary doctorate from De Montfort University in 2014. His work has been exhibited in prestigious institutions such as the Hayward Gallery in London (Brain Activity, 2012), the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne (Life and Life Drawing, 2014), and the Rose Art Museum in the United States (Life Model II, 2016).
Dedicated to promoting arts education, Shrigley unveiled a giant animatronic praying mantis sculpture, Mantis Muse, at his former school in Oadby in 2024 to highlight the importance of including the arts in school curricula. He advocates for transforming the STEM acronym into STEAM, incorporating the arts alongside science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
His publications include Worried Noodles, a collection of texts set to music by various artists, and What the Hell Are You Doing?, a compilation of his most iconic works. Shrigley continues to shape contemporary art with his unique approach, blending dark humor and social critique.
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