Black Cats Everywhere is a limited edition by British artist David Shrigley, released in 2021. With his characteristic humorous and irreverent style, this work plays with the superstition surrounding black cats, transforming them into a repetitive graphic motif accompanied by a direct and striking textual message.
The piece was created using a 12-color screen printing technique on 410 gsm Somerset Tub Sized paper, a high-quality material that enhances the vibrancy of the colors used. Each print in the edition, limited to 125 copies, is individually numbered and hand-signed by the artist.
The design features multiple stylized black cat faces with neutral expressions, piercing yellow eyes, and minimal whisker strokes. At the top, the text "BLACK CATS EVERYWHERE" is prominently displayed, while the bottom reads "EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK: BLACK CATS." This interplay between image and text is a hallmark of Shrigley’s work, as he often employs language to infuse irony and absurdity into his compositions.
Beyond its seemingly simple aesthetic, the piece challenges cultural beliefs and superstitions about black cats, traditionally associated with bad luck in some cultures and protection in others. With its humorous tone, Shrigley demystifies these concepts and turns the cats into the protagonists of a visual narrative that is both playful and thought-provoking.
Black Cats Everywhere is a perfect example of Shrigley’s artistic approach, where the everyday becomes a subject of reflection through repetition, absurdity, and the interaction between text and image. This screen print not only showcases his artistic identity but also reinforces his ability to transform the mundane into a unique visual statement.
