David Shrigley : MEMORIAL

Across the centuries, memorials have acted as public sites of collective remembrance and markers of our shared cultural heritage. Some monuments continue to hold a contemporary significance, while others have become obsolete in an ever-changing urban and social landscape, their meanings often lost from civic consciousness.

MEMORIAL, by British artist David Shrigley (b. 1968, Macclesfield, UK), honors one of the most common of all acts: the writing of a grocery list. By engraving this ephemeral, throwaway list on a solid slab of granite, a material ubiquitous with the language of monuments, the artist humorously subverts both a daily routine and the role of the classic memorial. While Shrigley’s shopping list might appear to posture as a counter monument, through its celebration of a common activity, its anonymity, and absurdity, the sculpture becomes a memorial both to no-one and to everyone—perhaps standing as a simple but poignant ode to humanity.

This exhibition is curated by Emma Enderby

One of Great Britain’s most treasured contemporary artists, David Shrigley employs a distinctive comedic tone that draws on everyday situations and human interactions to create self-reflexive artworks. While best known for his simple and unique drawing style, Shrigley works in a variety of mediums including photography, sculpture, and film, while also creating public works and artist publications, and collaborating on music projects.

Shrigley (b. 1968, Macclesfield, UK) lives and works in Brighton, UK. A Turner Prize nominee in 2013, his recent solo exhibitions include David Shrigley: Life Model II, Rose Art Museum, Waltham, MA (2016); Really Good, Fourth Plinth Commission, London (2016); David Shrigley, Two Rooms Gallery, Auckland Arts Festival, New Zealand (2015); David Shrigley: Life and Life Drawing, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia (2014–15); David Shrigley, Pinakothek der Moderne, Munich, Germany (2014); Big Shoes, BQ, Berlin, Germany (2013); How Are You Feeling?, Cornerhouse, Manchester, UK (2012–13); Brain Activity, Hayward Gallery, London (2012), which toured to Yerba Beuna Centre for the Arts, San Francisco, USA (2013); Drawings, Mumbai Art Rooms, India (2012); Animate, Turku Art Museum, Finland (2011); David Shrigley, Bergen Kunsthall, Norway (2009); BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead, UK (2008); To the Wall: David Shrigley with Lily Van der Stokker, Aspen Art Museum, Colorado (2007); and David Shrigley, Dundee Contemporary Arts, Scotland (2006). David Shrigley is represented by Anton Kern Gallery, New York; Stephen Friedman Gallery, London; Yvon Lambert, Paris; and Nicolai Wallner, Copenhagen.