Keep Your Ass Away from the Cactus

About This Work

David Shrigley's "Keep Your Ass Away from the Cactus," created in 2020, is a fine example of the artist's distinctive approach to contemporary printmaking. Shrigley is renowned for his deliberately primitive style, which utilizes crude line drawings and succinct, wry phrases to impart a humor that is as dry as it is poignant. This work fits seamlessly within his broader oeuvre, embodying the unique blend of absurdity, satire, and existential commentary for which he has become well-known. The print serves as a quintessential representation of Shrigley’s repertoire. It likely features the sort of childlike figures and objects accompanied by handwritten text, offering a simple yet potent piece of advice: to keep one's ass away from cacti. This suggestion, humorous in its abruptness, gently conceals the layered interpretations typical of Shrigley’s work. On one level, it provides a literal warning to avoid physical discomfort, while on another, it metaphorically advises steering clear of proverbial prickly situations. The deadpan delivery imbues the piece with Shrigley’s signature melancholy undertone, reminding viewers of the pitfalls of carelessness both in the physical and existential realms. Shrigley's background in environmental art at Glasgow School of Art informs his work's DIY aesthetic and conceptual depth. Over the years, he has blurred the lines between high art and quotidian life. He began capturing attention with self-published books and comics in mainstream British newspapers, which remain influential in shaping his artistic voice. His style, recognizable for its childlike simplicity and profound implications, invites reflection on the mundanity and absurdities of everyday life. In all his works, including this print, the voice is unmistakable: blunt, absurd, occasionally hostile, and often quietly devastating. Shrigley's work has extended beyond print. Major projects like the imposing "Really Good" in Trafalgar Square and the interactive "Life Model" reveal the scalability and versatility of his approach, exploring public engagement with art through humor and irony. "Keep Your Ass Away from the Cactus" may evoke a smile, but it also asks the viewer to ponder the strange interplay between caution and comedy in our attempts to navigate life's unpredictable terrain. This piece, with its simplistic yet multi-layered premise, is a fitting addition to Zebra One Gallery's collection, highlighting the institution's commitment to showcasing art that challenges, entertains, and evokes a deeper understanding of the human condition.

About the Artist

David John Shrigley (born 17 September 1968) is a British visual artist. He lived and worked in Glasgow, Scotland for 27 years before moving to Brighton, England in 2015. Shrigley first came to prominence in the 1990s for his distinct line drawings, which often deal with witty, surreal and darkly h...

Zebra One Gallery

Contemporary Art • Hampstead, London

Established 1976 • 50 years of excellence in contemporary art • Professional authentication and provenance research