Black Cats Everywhere is a screenprint by british artist David Shrigley. As often he uses words and animals both in one artwork to create a funny and critical statement.

Black cats have long captivated artists across cultures and eras, serving as potent symbols imbued with mystery, superstition, and elegance. Their representation in art reflects a rich tapestry of cultural beliefs and artistic movements.

In ancient Egypt, black cats were revered and considered sacred. Associated with the goddess Bastet, protector of homes and fertility, these felines were believed to bring blessings, good luck, and divine protection. For this reason, killing a cat, especially a black one, was a serious crime.

During the Middle Ages in Europe, however, black cats were viewed in a much more sinister light. Often thought to be witches’ familiars, they were believed to possess supernatural powers, assisting witches in their dark deeds. This association led to widespread persecution of both black cats and those accused of witchcraft.

In some parts of Europe, black cats were seen as symbols of good luck. For example, in Britain and Ireland, a black cat crossing your path was thought to bring fortune, not misfortune. Sailors, too, often kept black cats on ships as good luck charms. In Scotland, a black cat appearing on your doorstep was considered a sign of prosperity.

In the arts, black cats embody mystery and allure. From Manet’s “Olympia,” where a black cat hints at rebellion and sensuality, to Steinlen’s iconic “Le Chat Noir” poster, these sleek felines have added depth, intrigue, and symbolism to many famous artworks.

In literature, black cats often symbolize mystery, magic, or danger. Edgar Allan Poe’s story “The Black Cat” depicts their eerie association with guilt and the supernatural. In folklore, too, black cats have a lasting presence in spooky, Gothic narratives.

In modern pop culture, black cats are Halloween icons, seen in films like “Hocus Pocus” and “Sabrina the Teenage Witch.” They represent magic and mystery but also humor and charm, blending their spooky past with a more playful image.

Today, black cats are celebrated in art and popular culture, embodying a blend of mystery, elegance, and charm. Their enduring presence in artistic expressions underscores their complex symbolism and the human fascination with these enigmatic creatures.

David Shrigley – Word Play and Provocation

David Shrigley was born in 1968 in Macclesfield, GB and studied at the Glasgow School of Art. He is best known for his satirical drawings with text, which make fun of and display the banality of everyday situations with black humour. Most of his work consists of drawings, sculptures, installations and paintings. As a big music fan he also designs record covers again and again.
Shrigley lives outside Glasgow and still draws cartoons for publications such as The Guardian and The New Statesman. Shrigley was nominated for the Turner Prize in 2013, following his major retrospective at the Hayward Gallery in London entitled “Brain Activity”. In early 2014 he was commissioned to design a sculpture for the fourth pedestal of Trafalgar Square. “Really Good” was unveiled in September 2016 for the Fourth Plinth Commission. From 2015 to 2018, the exhibition “Lose Your Mind”, organised by the British Council, travelled to six locations around the world, including Shanghai, China, Seoul and Mexico. In January 2020, Shrigley was awarded the “Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire” (OBE). In March 2020 Ruinart Champagne announced Shrigley as his Artist Carte Blanche for 2020.

Shrigley’s works can be found in major international collections, including the Museum of Modern Art, New York, USA, the Art Institute of Chicago, Illinois, USA, the Museum Ludwig, Cologne, Germany, the Pinakothek der Moderne, Munich, Germany, the Statens Museum für Kunst, Copenhagen, Denmark, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Foundation for Contemporary Art, Vienna, Austria, the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Edinburgh, Scotland, the Tate, London, England, and the British Council, London, England, the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia.

The Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich dedicated the first major solo exhibition to him in Germany in 2014.

Shrigley was a Turner Prize nominee in 2013, following his major midcareer retrospective at the Hayward Gallery, London titled ‘Brain Activity’. In September 2016, his monumental sculpture ‘Really Good’ was unveiled in Trafalgar Square, London for the Fourth Plinth Commission. From 2015 to 2018 the British Council-organised exhibition ‘Lose Your Mind’ travelled to six venues including Power Station of Art, Shanghai, China; Storage by Hyundai Card in Seoul, Korea and Instituto-Cultural-Cabañas in Guadalajara, Mexico. In January 2020 Shrigley was awarded the decoration of Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire or OBE.

His works are included in prominent collections internationally, including Museum of Modern Art, New York; Art Institute of Chicago, Illinois; Museum Ludwig, Cologne, Germany; Pinakothek der Moderne, Munich, Germany; Statens Museum for Kunst, Copenhagen, Denmark; ThyssenBornemisza Contemporary Art Foundation, Vienna, Austria; Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Edinburgh, Scotland; Tate, London, England; British Council, London, England and National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia.

In 2022 David Shrigley was on view at the K Museum of Contemporary Art in Seoul through.