Overview
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.
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.
Installation Views
