David Shrigley Cracks Up Old Masters
The British artist's solo exhibition at London's Dulwich Picture Gallery will showcase his humorous take on Dutch and Flemish painting, alongside works by Rembrandt van Rijn and others, from May 25 to September 5, 2027
David Shrigley, a past Turner prize nominee, is set to bring his unique brand of humour to the Dulwich Picture Gallery in London with a solo exhibition featuring his new works alongside original masterpieces by artists including Jan Steen, Adriaen Brouwer, and Rembrandt van Rijn.
The exhibition, which will run from May 25 to September 5, 2027, will explore the comedic side of historic painting and how artists have used humour to observe everyday life. Shrigley's new commissions will be shown alongside works created almost 400 years apart, highlighting the timeless power of humour in art.
The Dulwich Picture Gallery, which has a significant collection of Dutch and Flemish historical paintings in Britain, is the perfect venue for this exhibition. Helen Hillyard, the head of collection and exhibitions at the gallery, said that Shrigley is the perfect artist to bring back playfulness to the old masters, and remind us that great art doesn't always need to be serious.
The exhibition is part of the Dulwich Picture Gallery's 2027/28 programme and will be Shrigley's first solo exhibition in a public art museum in the UK since his 2012 retrospective at the Hayward Gallery. It promises to be a unique and entertaining take on the old masters, and a must-see for fans of Shrigley's work and historic painting.
## What to Expect The exhibition will feature a series of brand-new, never-before-seen commissions by Shrigley, as well as key works from the gallery's collection and loans from major UK institutions. With its unique blend of old and new, this exhibition is sure to delight audiences and challenge their perceptions of historic painting.
## Why it Matters The exhibition is not just a showcase of Shrigley's work, but also a commentary on the role of humour in art. By bringing together works from different eras and styles, the exhibition highlights the enduring power of humour to observe and comment on everyday life. As such, it is an important contribution to the ongoing conversation about the nature and purpose of art.
