
Contemporary Art Gallery
- GALLERY
David Shrigley: Lose Your Mind
October 14 (Sat.),2017,to January 21 (Sun.),2018

David Shrigley “The Artist” 2012
Animation 2 min. 24 sec.
Courtesy: Artist and Stephen Friedman Gallery, London
We are pleased to announce that Art Tower Mito is holding Japan’s first large-scale solo exhibition of the work of acclaimed British artist David Shrigley, known for his darkly humorous take on everyday situations.
David Shrigley works in a wide range of media, including drawing, animation, sculpture and photography. He moves easily between the worlds of high art and popular culture, collaborating with high-profile musicians and fashion brands, whilst also producing political cartoons and public artworks.
The provocative title of the exhibition, “Lose Your Mind,” can be seen as an expression of a unique sense of humour that is present through the entire oeuvre of Shrigley. For the first time in Japan, the exhibition, presented in partnership with the British Council, comprehensively introduces the diverse activities of the artist, presenting an immensity of his drawings, darkly humorous animations, surreal sculptures and conceptual works that gently undermine the seriousness of art. Additionally, a balloon replica of his public artwork Really Good, which has been gaining attention since it was unveiled at Trafalgar Square in London in autumn 2016, will have its world premiere at the exhibition. Enjoy the world of David Shrigley, illuminated by dark humour, which, one may say, is unique to British culture.
Outline
Venue
Contemporary Art Gallery
Dates
October 14 (Sat.),2017,to January 21 (Sun.),2018
Closed
Mondays (except 8 January, public holiday) and 9 January and New Year Holidays 27 December-3 January
Open Hours
9:30-18:00 (no admittance after 17:30)
Admission
¥800 (¥600 for advance ticket and group of more than 20 people)
Free of charge for children under 9th grade, seniors over 65, the disabled and one accompanying attendant
One-year Pass
¥1000: High Teen Pass “H.T.P.” for youth between the ages of 15 and 19
¥2500: Adult Pass for those aged 20 and over
Organized by
Mito Arts Foundation in partnership with the British Council
Grant
The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation
Support
Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd., YUMIKO CHIBA ASSOCIATES
Curated by
Yuu Takehisa (Contemporary Art Center, Art Tower Mito) with Katrina Schwarz and Claire Feeley (the British Council)
Contact
TEL 029-227-8120
Contemporary Art Center
【Organized by】
Mito Arts Foundation

Courtesy: Stephen Friedman Gallery, London
David Shrigley
David Shrigley is an acclaimed and widely popular contemporary British artist who was born in Macclesfield in the north of England in 1968. He studied at Glasgow School of Art in Scotland and now lives in Brighton in southeast England. He was nominated for the prestigious Turner Prize in 2013 and, in 2016, his seven metre tall bronze sculpture Really Good showing an elongated ‘thumb’s up,’ was selected for one of the most important public art commissions in the UK - the ‘fourth plinth’ in Trafalgar Square. Shrigley is best known for his drawings, which make witty observations about situations in everyday life. His work taps into a particularly British sense of humour and is regularly reproduced in magazines, and on T-shirts, badges and greetings cards. He has been described as ‘one of only a few artists who manages to have one foot planted firmly in popular culture, with his cartoons and his books, which have a cult following, and another foot firmly in the art world. He can span these spheres with ease.’

David Shrigley
Ostrich
2009
Taxidermy ostrich
195 x 160 x 95cm
Courtesy: Artist and the British Council Collection
Photo: Stephen White

David Shrigley
Cheers
2007
Waders with foam
145 x 45 x 58cm
Courtesy: Artist and Stephen Friedman Gallery, London

David Shrigley
The Artist
2014
Three robots, motor, and wig
Dimensions variable
Courtesy: Artist and Stephen Friedman Gallery, London
Photo: NGV Photographic Services

David Shrigley
Untitled (blue bug with black eyes)
2007
Monoprint
100 x 70cm
Courtesy: Artist and the British Council Collection

David Shrigley
Insects – Untitled (413 sculptures)
2007
Steel, enamel paint
Dimensions variable
Courtesy: Artist, Stephen Friedman Gallery, London and Galleri Nicolai Wallner, Copenhagen
Photo: Marcos García

Installation view of ‘David Shrigley: Lose Your Mind’, 2015, Instituto Cultural Cabañas, Guadalajara, Mexico
Photo: Marcos García

David Shrigley
New Leaf
1995
Latex and acrylic paint
90 x 60 x 1 cm
Courtesy: Artist and the British Council Collection

David Shrigley
Headless Drummer
2012
Animation
1 min.
Courtesy: Artist and Stephen Friedman Gallery, London
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