David Shrigley Prints: Humour, Editions & the Accessible Art Market
David Shrigley has done something remarkable in contemporary art: he has built a serious market around humour. His deadpan drawings, absurdist observations, and darkly comic text works have attracted a devoted collector base that spans traditional art buyers, design enthusiasts, and a younger demographic drawn to his unmistakable visual language. With 65 works at Hanga House priced from 1,200 to 19,500 GBP, Shrigley represents one of the most accessible and actively traded segments of our collection.
Why Shrigley Works
Shrigley's appeal is deceptively simple. His drawings look like they could have been made by anyone, yet no one else makes work that feels like Shrigley. This paradox is the source of his market strength. The visual language is immediately recognisable, deeply reproducible across print editions, and connects with viewers on an emotional level that more technically accomplished work often fails to achieve.
The market data supports this. Shrigley's prints range from a few hundred pounds for open editions to over 40,000 GBP for significant signed works. The breadth of this price spectrum means Shrigley serves as both an entry point for new collectors and a serious holding for established ones.
Key Edition Types
Screenprints
Shrigley's screenprints, typically featuring a single drawing or text observation on white paper, are the core of his print market. Signed limited editions in runs of 50 to 125 trade between 1,500 and 6,500 GBP at Hanga House. Popular works include Make Your Mark, Black Cats, Kindness, and the I Will Retrieve Your Phone series. These prints are characterised by bold, flat colour and Shrigley's distinctive hand-drawn line.
Offset Lithographs
Shrigley also produces offset lithographs in larger editions of 250 or more. These are more affordable, typically under 1,000 GBP, but are less collectible from an investment perspective. They serve as excellent entry points for new collectors who want to live with a Shrigley work before committing to a signed limited edition.
Sculptures and Multiples
Beyond prints, Shrigley produces limited edition sculptures including the Serpent, You Are Special, and other three-dimensional works. These multiples typically trade between 1,450 and 5,000 GBP and appeal to collectors who want the Shrigley sensibility in object form. At Hanga House, we hold several sculpture editions alongside the print collection.
Market Performance
Shrigley's market has shown consistent growth, driven by his expanding institutional profile and the loyalty of his collector base. His Really Good sculpture, a 23-foot bronze thumbs-up installed on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square in 2016, cemented his public profile. Subsequent exhibitions at major institutions and his ongoing production of new editions sustain demand.
The auction record for a Shrigley work is over 165,000 USD for a large-scale sculpture. Within the print market, signed screenprints in the 2,000 to 5,000 GBP range represent the sweet spot for both collector enjoyment and potential appreciation.
Authentication
Shrigley prints are documented through his publishing partnerships. Authentic signed editions carry pencil signatures and edition numbers. The main authentication consideration is distinguishing between signed limited editions and unsigned larger runs. At Hanga House, we specify the edition type and size for every Shrigley work.
Buying Recommendation
Shrigley is an ideal first-purchase artist for new collectors. The combination of accessible pricing, strong visual identity, and growing institutional recognition makes his prints low-risk, high-enjoyment acquisitions. We recommend signed screenprints in the 1,500 to 3,500 GBP range. Browse our 65 Shrigley works at Hanga House.
