Here’s What David Shrigley Is Loving Right Now

When I recently sat down with curator, art historian and broadcaster Kate Bryan to discuss her new book How To Art, illustrated by British artist David Shrigley, she lighted on something I never quite managed to put my finger on. When grappling with whether she should pen a book snipping right through the red tape and shroud of mystery surrounding the art world, Kate felt like she was ‘breaking art world etiquette,’ she told me. ‘And then I thought, “You know what? David Shrigley has done it.” David Shrigley has made art that is completely accessible, that anybody can just get. He’s happy to sell it on greeting cards, he’s happy to do tea towels. It’s completely mainstream, but at the same time, he did the fourth plinth, was nominated for the Turner Prize, had a sell-out show at the Hayward Gallery, and is in the MoMA collection. David’s done both.’

That’s why we love his latest collaboration with CASETiFY, which puts Shrigley’s art right in your back pocket. With eight designs to choose from spanning elephants, hearts and ocean waves, these phone cases, chargers and accessories encapsulate Shrigley’s signature wit and vibrancy.

Kate and Shrigley will launch How To Art in a special event at the inaugural Chelsea Arts Festival this September. (Find out more and book your tickets here.) Ahead of that, we sat down with Shrigley to get his top cultural recommendations ahead of the weekend.

 

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Interview: David Shrigley

Hi David, how’s life going at the moment?

Life is good. The sun is shining today, and I’m going on holiday tomorrow to Cornwall with my wife and our dog for two weeks. I’m very, very happy about this.

Tell us about your new collaboration with CASETiFY.

My new collaboration with Casetify has been really fun. Dynamic. I’m really happy about it. There’s five new designs and three have returned from the archive. 

Lots of artists wouldn’t agree to do a phone case collaboration. What draws you to it?

I think my artworks function in lots of different contexts, unlike the work of other artists. Given that you see phone cases all the time every day, I think it’s a great place to put an artwork.

What is this series of cases inspired by?

Humour. Emotion. Everyday thoughts. We spent a while getting the selection right, but it feels good and it makes sense.

Do you have a favourite design?

Opening Hours. Mainly because I’m using it on my own phone. And it’s mirrored so I can check my hair in it when I need to. 

If you had to have any other artists’ work on your phone case, who would you choose?

I would have the work of my friend, the Danish painter Tal R. I love his use of colour. 

Any other projects in the pipeline you’re excited about?

I’m working on a show at Rotterdam Kunsthal in December revisiting lots of old works and trying to have some fun with them. I have a few exciting things coming up with Shrig Shop, my space in Copenhagen. In the UK I’m putting a lot of energy into a charity project I work on, Sidmouth School of Art.

David Shrigley Recommends…

What I’m reading… I’ve just finished So Long, See You Tomorrow by William Maxwell. It was really beautiful. 

The last thing I watched (and loved) was… I have been watching Murderbot on Apple TV. I don’t often watch TV so it’s nice to get into something. 

What I’m most looking forward to… The football season starting again.

Favourite film… Withnail and I or Prick Up Your Ears. I can’t choose. I have a lot of favourite films. 

Favourite song or album… Andy Warhol’s Velvet Underground

Band/singer I always have on repeat… Richard Dawson

Favourite gallery or museum… Many are important to me. I suppose Tate Modern will always be very special and significant. I recently went to The Depot in Rotterdam which was amazing. 

My order at the bar… Alcohol free beer or kombucha. Ideally a very nice one. 

My ultimate cultural recommendation… If you’re in Brighton go to the Brighton Pavillion. I think it’s such an underrated attraction and it’s one of the most beautiful palaces in the UK. 

Cultural guilty pleasure… Non league football.

Shop CASETiFY ARTiSTS Presents: David Shrigley at casetify.com

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