Weak Messages Create Bad Situations: A Manifesto

A personal message from the author: Lots of individuals in society today are feeble-minded. They don’t know what the hell is going on. Unfortunately many of these people are responsible for running The Country. They don’t know the difference between a Precious Jewel and a piece of animal turd. Their ideas are Meaningless, illustrated using rubbish imagery (often made by a computer). The stupid words they write are always in bad fonts. Yet still people heed this nonsense. Maybe you are one of these people? It’s alright. I am here to help you. I have a fully-composed world view. I have strong opinions about everything. And my ideas are hand-illustrated and use real handwriting that you can trust. I know exactly what’s going on and am willing to share my thoughts with you. If you listen to what I say then things will quickly improve. No more weak messages. No more bad situations. Shall we proceed?

Reviews of Weak Messages Create Bad Situations: A Manifesto

* Shrigley's manifesto is full of hilarity, alongside observations about the world that are both astute and absurd Creative Review * Single minded, sharp and funny Design Week * David Shrigley is probably the funniest gallery-type artist who ever lives — DAVE EGGERS * Funny and profound and surprising all at the same time — HARRY HILL * With a casual gesture Shrigley points to that hideous shape whose name I've never known – and then he names it. And the name is profoundly, embarrassingly familiar. I'm laughing while frantically searching for a pen, so desperate to capture the feeling he has unearthed in me — MIRANDA JULY * On the kink of his line Shrigley can shift effortlessly from pathos to paranoia. And his work is funny – very funny; his timing devastatingly effective — WILL SELF * Shrigley mines a mordant, scatological seam, conjuring up the dark tradition of British humour that threw up Tony Hancock and Chris Morris The Times * Shrigley deserves his immense popularity. For almost 20 years he has produced a ceaseless stream of ideas, observations, jokes and strange insights in the form of left-field drawings that have appeared in broadsheet newspapers, books and magazines as well as galleries. Deadpan, escapist and distinctively cack-handed, they make up a little world in themselves Observer * Shrigley's comedy appears to confirm the belief of great humourists (from Laurence Sterne to Woody Allen) that laughter is synonymous with hope. In the arena of contemporary art, Shrigley's work maintains a dualism, which is rare, rewarding and ultimately generous Frieze * Half man, half legend The Skinny * An artist touched by comic genius and something like full-blown lunacy The Lady * One look at his new book, Weak Messages Create Bad Situations, and you start to understand the Turner Prize-nominated artist's mindset … Shrigley addresses the weird, dark and ugly sides of the world, but, most importantly, he'll make you laugh while doing so Shortlist * Brims over with skew-whiff observations on the absurdity of modern life … Shirgley's bonkers, mordant, often joyously meaningless doodles are always oddly life-affirming Metro * Brilliant, enormous … We love David's new book, which totally sums up the feeling of helplessly skidding downhill on a bicycle with no brakes towards a cliff. It's Nice That