Shrigley's Artistic Influences and Association with Movements
David Shrigley is a British artist known for his humorous, irreverent, and sometimes absurd drawings, sculptures, installations, and animations. He is best known for his black and white line drawings, which often feature dark and twisted humor and satirical social commentary. Shrigley has been creating art for over 30 years, and his work has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world.
One of Shrigley's most famous series of works is
"
I Hate Humans," which consists of a range of artworks featuring animals expressing their disdain for human beings. The series began in 2019 and has continued to evolve since then. Shrigley has created drawings, sculptures, and prints featuring a variety of animals, including badgers, seals, polar bears, and more.
Shrigley's "I Hate Humans" series is rooted in his longstanding interest in exploring the relationship between humans and animals. He has stated that he finds animals to be more authentic and honest than humans, and that they often serve as a reflection of human behavior. In an interview with
The Guardian, he explained his fascination with animals, saying, "They're interesting because they're not like us. We can't understand what they're thinking or feeling. They're sort of like us, but not like us."
Shrigley's work is heavily influenced by the art of the 20th century, including
surrealism,
dadaism, and
pop art. He is also inspired by outsider art and the work of artists who operate outside of the mainstream art world. He has cited artists such as Robert Crumb, Raymond Pettibon, and William Kentridge as influences.
Notable Works in the "I Hate Humans" Series
Some of Shrigley's most famous works include "
Really Good," a sculpture of a giant bronze thumb with a disproportionately small hand, which was installed in London's Trafalgar Square in 2016, and "
Life Model," a series of drawings featuring a man posing in different positions with a cat on his head.
In terms of the
"I Hate Humans" series, some of the most notable works include
"I Hate Humans, 2022, Polar Bear," "I Hate Human Beings, 2021, Badger," and
"I Hate Human Beings, Seal." Each of these works features a different animal expressing its disgust for humans, through a combination of text and image. The polar bear drawing features the words "I hate humans" scrawled across the top of the page, while the badger and seal drawings feature more detailed illustrations of the animals in question, with speech bubbles expressing their disdain for humanity.
The Financial Aspect of Shrigley's Work
Despite Shrigley's work's humorous and satirical nature, it is also highly sought after by collectors and investors. His limited edition prints, in particular, have become increasingly valuable in recent years, with some of his most famous prints selling for thousands of pounds at auction. One of his highest-selling limited edition prints is titled "My Rampage Is Over," which features the image of an elephant with the words “I Must Rest” above and "My Rampage Is Over" scrawled beneath it is a 9-colour hand-pulled screenprint with a varnish overlay. Each hand signed from a numbered limited edition of 125 prints reached a record by achieving £17,500 at auction in April 2021 with Christie's in London.
In an interview with
Artnet, Shrigley discussed the financial aspect of his work, saying, "The financial side of things is always a bit uncomfortable for me. But I understand that it's part of the art world, and that's just the way it is." He went on to explain that he is grateful for the support of collectors and investors, who have allowed him to continue making art on his own terms.
In terms of investment potential, Shrigley's work is highly sought after by collectors who are interested in contemporary art that is both visually striking and intellectually engaging. His work is often seen as a commentary on contemporary culture and society, and as such, it has a strong resonance with audiences around the world.
Impact of "I Hate Humans" on Shrigley's Overall Body of Work
The "I Hate Humans" series represents a departure from some of Shrigley's earlier work, which often focused on absurdist humor and wordplay. However, it is also an extension of his interest in exploring the relationship between humans and animals, which has been a recurring theme in his work for many years.
In an interview with The Guardian, Shrigley explained the origins of the "I Hate Humans" series, saying, "I think it started with the idea of animals as representatives of nature, and humans as representatives of culture. So, the animals are kind of outsiders looking in, and they're judging us." He went on to explain that he sees the series as a way of highlighting the absurdity of human behavior, and the ways in which we often take ourselves too seriously.
The "I Hate Humans" series has been well-received by audiences and critics alike, who have praised Shrigley's ability to create art that is both humorous and thought-provoking. The series has also helped to solidify Shrigley's position as one of the most important contemporary artists working today, and has further cemented his reputation as a master of satire and social commentary.
Conclusion
David Shrigley's "I Hate Humans" series represents a significant departure from some of his earlier work, but also serves as an extension of his long-standing interest in exploring the relationship between humans and animals. The series is both humorous and thought-provoking, and has been well-received by audiences and critics alike. Shrigley's work is heavily influenced by the art of the 20th century, including surrealism, dadaism, and pop art, and he has cited a number of artists as influences, including Robert Crumb, Raymond Pettibon, and William Kentridge.
Despite the humorous and satirical nature of his work, Shrigley's art is highly sought after by collectors and investors, and his
limited edition prints in particular have become increasingly valuable in recent years. Shrigley's financial success has allowed him to continue making art on his own terms, and he remains one of the most important and influential contemporary artists working today.
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