ADVERTISEMENT

Visual art comes in all shapes and sizes. And while for many, a true work of art is something extremely detailed, colorful, that which speaks volumes with its expression, there are people who take a more minimal and straightforward approach to art.

And you know what? Both approaches are effective in conveying everything that art should convey.

David Shrigley is a UK-based visual artist who does the latter. Well, OK, saying his art is minimal and straightforward is pure understatement as it’s much more than that. It’s intricately simple and straight to the point with its mostly monochromatic, uncluttered, cartoony aesthetic and overall message literally written on the picture.

Bored Panda invites you take a deep dive into the visual art of David Shrigley. We’ve also got in touch with the artist for an interview, so be sure to read it while you scroll. And why not vote and leave a comment on the best ones with what you think about it!

More info: davidshrigley.com | Instagram | Twitter

#1

British-Visual-Artist-David-Shrigley

David Shrigley Report

Add photo comments
POST
ng avatar
N G
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If this isn't about orange man... I'll be disappointed

valkyrie_thorn avatar
Niamh McVeigh
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The artist is UK based, so it's probably about Boris Johnson. It totally applies to Trump as well, though.

Load More Replies...
bpbperic avatar
Night Owl
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hope the majority of voters in the majority of states in the US realize that (and it would be even better if everyone of Earth with a bad leader would realize that but I guess that's too much to hope for while trying to stay realistic)

jorgeasdasil avatar
Jorge da Silva
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

David, when you drew this fantastic work, were you thinking of any country here in South America?

truthmonster00 avatar
Truth Monster
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sometimes we need bastards. But most of the time and certainly not all the time. The problem is that the way the politicians get attention is by being bastards. If Trump had been a mild-mannered business man, he would have been quickly drowned out by stronger and more compelling voices in the RNC. But you wouldn't've liked them either. In the DNC Tulsi Gabbard, easily the best candidate in my opinion, was drowned out by the nutjobs who are easily as unhinged as Trump or worse. We're stuck with Biden the Hair Sniffer as a result and I think Trump, for good or ill, is going to win again because none of the DNC but Tulsi could have wooed away the middle ground.

pusfarm avatar
Pusfarm
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"...who are easily as unhinged as Trump or worse." Are you serious?? I know there are nutjobs in both parties, but Trump is far past the nutjob stage - light years past. The hinges, and doors, were blown off many years ago and he's sucking the oxygen out of the US as we nosedive toward the ground like a lawn dart.

Load More Replies...
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#3

British-Visual-Artist-David-Shrigley

David Shrigley Report

Add photo comments
POST
bpbperic avatar
Night Owl
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The only constant thing is change so no, it won't

View more commentsArrow down menu

David doesn’t shy away from sensitive topics and expresses himself in a crude, but honest way. Swear words are no stranger to his art... unlike visual subtlety. Don’t be surprised to see images like a devil fornicating on the floor or pure nudity in his art.

It’s somewhat random, for a lack of better words, but it’s a good kind of random—a perceptive and defamiliarizing approach, one that keeps people coming back to explore topics or concepts not many necessarily think about. Parts of it are funny, others are sarcastic, yet others are critical. And it's best experienced individually.

Drawing is an integral part of who David is as a person. “Drawing makes me happy. Every day that I draw is a good day. I think that I always wanted to be an artist even before I knew that such a profession might be a possibility,” he told Bored Panda.

#4

British-Visual-Artist-David-Shrigley

David Shrigley Report

Add photo comments
POST
bpbperic avatar
Night Owl
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Occupational therapy. Hopefully he'll get better with practice

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#6

British-Visual-Artist-David-Shrigley

David Shrigley Report

Add photo comments
POST
kasaalex avatar
kasa alex
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was 5 a boy at pre-school had a mullet. I remember telling my mum how much I didn't like his mullet. She told me I should just stop looking at it if I didn't like it, but for some reason I could nevr stop looking at his mullet

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

He went into detail about his artistic process: “I find that the best way to work is to try to fill a specific number of sheets of paper in a day. 30 seems to be a good number for me. I seem to have more success with drawing if I try to convince myself that I’m doing something other than making art,” he said.

“If I just think of my task as being to fill 30 sheets of paper then this seems to be a lot easier somehow,” he added.

David told Bored Panda that he discards a lot of the drawings that he does. He estimates that around 70 percent of his art doesn’t see the light of day.

#8

British-Visual-Artist-David-Shrigley

David Shrigley Report

Add photo comments
POST
drummerkramer avatar
Bob Belcher
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I want to be my dog for an evening. At night he lays on his blanket and I cover him with another. He is literally in a blanket sandwich all night on our king size bed.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT

“I like to think that everything has the potential to be art or garbage and it doesn’t matter which it is as long as the drawing in question is finished. Ideally, I like to put all the drawings I make away for a few weeks before I decide what gets kept. That way I can look at them with fresh eyes.”

ADVERTISEMENT

He continued: “Another method of working that I have is to write a list of things to draw before I start; a tree, an elephant, a lorry, an orgy, etc. This gives each drawing a starting point. Once I have started, the drawing usually manages to get somewhere. I think the starting point is important for an artist. Once you’ve started the battle is half-won.”

#11

British-Visual-Artist-David-Shrigley

David Shrigley Report

Add photo comments
POST
damonrn avatar
Damon Gates
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Art isn't finished, it's abandoned. So the answer is "When you can't stand to work on it anymore!"

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

According to David, his artwork isn’t really about anything in particular. He said that certain themes might repeat themselves but it’s not something that he’s consciously aware of while he’s in the flow and drawing. “I guess, my work is mostly intuitive. You could say it was an elaborate form of doodling.”

The artist tends to use ink and brush or water-based marker pens for his elaborate doodles. “I try to work on a larger scale than the drawing might be reproduced at. Images reproduce better if they are scaled down from the original. I read that in a ‘How To Be A Cartoonist’ book. It was the only piece of information in there that was any use,” he quipped.

ADVERTISEMENT

David also gave young artists a single piece of advice that he thinks will benefit them the most: “There are no rules. You can do whatever you want.”

#15

British-Visual-Artist-David-Shrigley

David Shrigley Report

Add photo comments
POST
drummerkramer avatar
Bob Belcher
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Until your bladder relaxes and you have to pee every 5 mi utes for the next two hours.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#22

British-Visual-Artist-David-Shrigley

David Shrigley Report

Add photo comments
POST
drummerkramer avatar
Bob Belcher
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We all live in our own reality with our own truths and ideals. When someone tells you that your reality is fake or stupid, your subconscious reaction is to be defensive because you are being attacked. This is why sitting down and talking is a much better solution to name calling and yelling in a relationship.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#25

British-Visual-Artist-David-Shrigley

David Shrigley Report

Add photo comments
POST
alanwilkening avatar
Podunkus
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s because you’re pronouncing it wrong. It’s Wingardium leviOsa, not levioSA. Make the “gar” nice and long.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#26

British-Visual-Artist-David-Shrigley

David Shrigley Report

Add photo comments
POST
melcher_m avatar
M.A.D.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"They're coming to take me away ho ho he he ha ha to the funny farm where life is beautiful all the time"

View more commentsArrow down menu
#29

British-Visual-Artist-David-Shrigley

David Shrigley Report

Add photo comments
POST
evelynthompson_1 avatar
FurryManiac
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

me getting ready for classes in the morning(before quarantine)

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
See Also on Bored Panda
#42

British-Visual-Artist-David-Shrigley

David Shrigley Report

Add photo comments
POST
munchikarin avatar
Lynsey Mooney
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who invited Nosferatu?? People know to never invite vampire into the party tut tut amateurs😏😏

View more commentsArrow down menu
#44

British-Visual-Artist-David-Shrigley

David Shrigley Report

Add photo comments
POST
phantomaivilo avatar
togcrewsc
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"I will send a battalion to kill all your friends and family to remind you of my love. da da da da DIE dadada da DIE dada da da DIE da Daaaaaahhhhhhhh"

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu