David Shrigley: What the Hell Was I Thinking?
With his dryly comic drawings, absurdist installations and sharp observations, British artist David Shrigley offers a humorous yet critical perspective on life and the art world. What the Hell Was I Thinking? at Kunsthal Rotterdam invites visitors into his mind, with observations that scrutinise both society and his own work. For Shrigley, being an artist is not about lofty genius, but about a process of experimentation and reflection.
The exhibition brings together a wide selection of his absurdist works, presented in new forms. Ranging from a 3m tall animatronic nude figure to a horseshoe forged from meteorite. 50 drawings created especially for the exhibition depict animals, people and everyday situations, rendered in his distinctive satirical style. A collection of inflatable sculptures are gathered for the first time, including Shrigley’s iconic work Swan Thing, which sees the elegant bird transform into a light-hearted, cartoonish figure. Another highlight is Fluff War, an arena where the audience can observe tufts of fluff battling within the space. Unfolding a playful and chaotic spectacle, in which competition loses all meaning.
Classic Shrigley: works that surprise, make you smile, and prompt reflection all at once. The presentation has been developed in close collaboration with the artist and with Stephen Friedman Gallery.
