David Shrigley

On view at Kunsthal Rotterdam from Saturday, December 13th, Shrigley will for the first time explicitly direct that gaze at himself, offering a glimpse into his mind. He provides commentary for the exhibition, with witty observations that critically examine both society and his own work. The exhibition reveals how he reflects on previous work, reimagines ideas, and allows room for doubt. For Shrigley, being an artist isn't a matter of sublime genius, but a process saturated with experimentation and reflection.

Please note: booking a starting time online is mandatory for everyone (including visitors with a Museum Card).

For Kunsthal Rotterdam, Shrigley is bringing together a broad selection of his idiosyncratic works and presenting them in new guises. Fifty drawings, created especially for the exhibition, depict animals, people, and everyday situations in Shrigley's signature satirical style. His wondrous universe also takes shape with a three-meter-tall, mechanically moving nude model and horseshoes forged from meteorite. A collection of his inflatable sculptures is also being presented together for the first time, including the iconic Swan Thing , in which the elegant swan transforms into a cartoonish figure.

The art of failure

Playfulness and futility collide in Fluff War , an arena recreated specifically for this exhibition. Fluffs fight each other and competition loses all meaning. Another example is Topple the Anvil , a carnival-like game Shrigley created in 2015 for Dismaland, the satirical amusement park created by artist Banksy. Visitors are challenged to knock a heavy anvil off a pedestal with a ping-pong ball—an impossible feat that pokes fun at expectation and emphasizes the humor of failure.

The exhibition also highlights Shrigley's unique relationship with his audience. A monumental wall displays photos of fans who have had his drawings tattooed on their skin – evidence of the cult status his work has achieved far beyond the art world.

The result is the very essence of Shrigley: work that makes you laugh, unsettles, and provokes reflection. Developed in close collaboration with the artist and Stephen Friedman Gallery in London, What the Hell Was I Thinking? showcases the full spectrum of Shrigley's razor-sharp imagination.

About the artist

David Shrigley (born 1968, UK) is a leading British artist working in a variety of media, including drawing, painting, sculpture, installation, photography, animation, and print. His absurdist and witty style has brought him international recognition. In 2020, he was awarded an OBE for services to the visual arts. In 2016, he created a seven-meter-high bronze hand giving a thumbs-up for the Fourth Plinth Commission in Trafalgar Square. Three years earlier, he was nominated for the prestigious Turner Prize. Shrigley presents his work internationally in solo exhibitions and his work is included in major collections, including the Museum of Modern Art (New York), Tate Britain (London), and the National Gallery of Denmark (Copenhagen).

Courtesy of Stephen Friedman Gallery, Galleri Nicolai Wallner, Anton Kern Gallery and Shrig Shop.