Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
Image 1 of 1
be yourself just be yourself (2023) is a limited edition screenprint by david shrigley featuring one of his characteristically simple animal drawings alongside a familiar piece of advice that becomes increasingly funny through repetition. printed in 12 colours with a varnish overlay, the work shows a frog accompanied by the encouraging but slightly awkward declaration “be yourself just be yourself”.
this is one of those shrigley pieces that turns an ordinary phrase into something slightly absurd. what i like is the repetition of the message. the extra “just be yourself” feels completely unnecessary, which is exactly why it becomes funny. shrigley has a knack for taking everyday language and making the smallest adjustment until something familiar suddenly feels strange.
the frog looks earnest, the message sounds encouraging, and yet the whole thing has the gentle awkwardness that runs through so much of shrigley’s work. there’s no elaborate joke and no obvious punchline — the humour comes from the simplicity of the idea and the slightly uncomfortable way the words sit alongside the image.
for me, it’s a print that feels cheerful without being overly polished or sentimental. the deliberately loose drawing style gives it a sense of spontaneity, while the repetition of the phrase gives the work its personality.
be yourself just be yourself is also a good example of why shrigley’s animal-text works are so immediately accessible. the image takes only a moment to understand, but the more you look at the relationship between the drawing and the words, the more the humour reveals itself.
david shrigley has developed one of the most distinctive visual languages in contemporary british art, combining loose drawing, deadpan humour and observations of everyday life. his work has attracted an international audience across contemporary art, design and popular culture, while his limited edition prints form an important part of his wider practice.
this edition of 125 is presented in mint condition, unframed and retained in its original sealed packaging as issued by the publisher. the print has never been framed or displayed.
collection: luck 02
medium: 12-colour screenprint with a varnish overlay
paper: somerset satin tub sized 410gsm
edition: edition of 125
dimensions: 75 × 56 cm
signature: signed
condition: mint
framing: unframed
packaging: retained in the original sealed packaging as issued by the publisher
display history: never framed or displayed
delivery
complimentary personal delivery is available within brighton & hove. for uk and international orders, we arrange appropriate specialist art delivery and can provide fully insured, tracked delivery where required.
delivery is additional to the artwork price.
please contact us for a quotation before purchasing.
be yourself just be yourself (2023) is a limited edition screenprint by david shrigley featuring one of his characteristically simple animal drawings alongside a familiar piece of advice that becomes increasingly funny through repetition. printed in 12 colours with a varnish overlay, the work shows a frog accompanied by the encouraging but slightly awkward declaration “be yourself just be yourself”.
this is one of those shrigley pieces that turns an ordinary phrase into something slightly absurd. what i like is the repetition of the message. the extra “just be yourself” feels completely unnecessary, which is exactly why it becomes funny. shrigley has a knack for taking everyday language and making the smallest adjustment until something familiar suddenly feels strange.
the frog looks earnest, the message sounds encouraging, and yet the whole thing has the gentle awkwardness that runs through so much of shrigley’s work. there’s no elaborate joke and no obvious punchline — the humour comes from the simplicity of the idea and the slightly uncomfortable way the words sit alongside the image.
for me, it’s a print that feels cheerful without being overly polished or sentimental. the deliberately loose drawing style gives it a sense of spontaneity, while the repetition of the phrase gives the work its personality.
be yourself just be yourself is also a good example of why shrigley’s animal-text works are so immediately accessible. the image takes only a moment to understand, but the more you look at the relationship between the drawing and the words, the more the humour reveals itself.
david shrigley has developed one of the most distinctive visual languages in contemporary british art, combining loose drawing, deadpan humour and observations of everyday life. his work has attracted an international audience across contemporary art, design and popular culture, while his limited edition prints form an important part of his wider practice.
this edition of 125 is presented in mint condition, unframed and retained in its original sealed packaging as issued by the publisher. the print has never been framed or displayed.
collection: luck 02
medium: 12-colour screenprint with a varnish overlay
paper: somerset satin tub sized 410gsm
edition: edition of 125
dimensions: 75 × 56 cm
signature: signed
condition: mint
framing: unframed
packaging: retained in the original sealed packaging as issued by the publisher
display history: never framed or displayed
delivery
complimentary personal delivery is available within brighton & hove. for uk and international orders, we arrange appropriate specialist art delivery and can provide fully insured, tracked delivery where required.
delivery is additional to the artwork price.
please contact us for a quotation before purchasing.