What the Hell Are You Doing? by David Shrigley

Book Review by David Agnew | 02 Sep 2010
Book title: What the Hell Are You Doing?
Author: David Shrigley

The artist David Shrigley is from Macclesfield originally, but is now a Glasgow resident, and if you’re struggling to place the name, you’ll probably be familiar with postcards of his work, featuring things like a sign that says “Lost: Grey and white pigeon with Black Bits. Normal size. A bit mangy–looking. Does not have a name.” Here it’s traditional to ask: But is it art? Well, this collection showcases whatever Shrigley’s work is, a series of drawings, photographs, and other pieces less easily categorized.

It should be said that Shrigley’s style is somehow very distinctive, despite being somewhat plain looking at first inspection, and that it may seem easy to replicate; although if it was then everyone would be doing it. But is it art? Well this book is a chunky collection of much of the best of Shrigley’s work, and it should be enough to win most readers (or viewers) over. It has a style of its own, often but not always characterised by humour, or surreal images, and it’s an infectious style that will prompt most readers to want to show images from it to friends, to gauge their reactions. But is it art? You decide! (Which means yes.) [David Agnew]

 

Release Date 16 Sep. Published by Canongate. Cover price £20.