 to justify myself to you.

Do you collect art?

One ends up acquiring it. Other artists you’ve shared a flat with leave it behind. And then, when you have a bit of money... My wife has a habit of going to openings, charity things mostly, and getting drunk and buying pictures that end up in my studio when she sobers up.

Do you like fame?

No, I don’t. I’ve been on the telly a few times and I occasionally get recognised in Waitrose. I find it really intimidating.

Is humour always appropriate?

I think it is. Comedy is important in life. You can, of course, say the wrong thing at the wrong time but there’s always potential for comedy in every situation. But one wouldn’t want to bloody well offend anyone.

You are a musician as well as an artist. Do you wish you had followed that path more?

No, I think as a visual artist, you’re in your prime in your forties. As a rock star, you are way past it by then. That would be depressing. The fact that I’m in my mid-forties has nothing to do with it.

What do you make of the contemporary art world?

It’s a mixed bag. So many people make a good living out of contemporary art that you can’t help but feel a bit uncomfortable. I suppose it mirrors the massive inequality within capitalist society – it’s about the richest 1 per cent and what they buy.

Are you political?

Yes. Everyone’s political. You can’t avoid it – or political debate, especially when you live in Scotland right now. [Shrigley studied at the Glasgow School of Art and has lived in the city for 20 years.] As an Englishman, I’ve only been treated differently during the World Cup or when other football is on and I’m in the pub. People make value judgements.

Scottish nationalism has an unpleasant side to it but I’ve never suffered racial abuse in a tangible way. I’d stay if Scotland became independent. I’m not going anywhere – except on holiday.

Why are you so fascinated with death?

It’s not just me. It is human to ponder the finite nature of life. I don’t think I’m obsessed with it. Death and some
to justify myself to you. 

 Do you collect art? 

 One ends up grow it. early artists you ’ve shared a flatcar with entrust it behind. And then, when you have a bit of money... My wife has a substance abuse of going to openings, charity thing mostly, and getting intoxicated and buying pictures that end up in my studio apartment when she sobers up. 

 Do you like fame? 

 No, I do n’t. I ’ve been on the telly a few times and I occasionally get recognised in Waitrose. I find it truly intimidating. 

 Is humour always appropriate? 

 I intend it is. Comedy is important in life. You can, of course, state the wrong thing at the wrong time but there ’s always likely for comedy in every situation. But one would n’t want to bloody well offend anyone. 

 You are a musician as well as an artist. Do you wish you had followed that way more? 

 No, I remember as a visual artist, you ’re in your prime in your forties. As a rock star, you are way past it by then. That would be depressing. The fact that I ’m in my mid - forties has nothing to do with it. 

 What do you make of the contemporaneous artwork world? 

 It ’s a mixed bag. therefore many people make a good support out of contemporary art that you ca n’t help but feel a act uncomfortable. I suppose it mirrors the massive inequality within capitalist society – it ’s about the richest 1 per penny and what they buy. 

 Are you political? 

 Yes. Everyone ’s political. You ca n’t avoid it – or political debate, especially when you live in Scotland right now. [ Shrigley study at the Glasgow School of Art and has lived in the city for 20 years. ] As an Englishman, I ’ve only been treated differently during the World Cup or when other football is along and I ’m in the pub. People make value judgements. 

 Scottish nationalism has an unpleasant side to it but I ’ve never suffered racial misuse in a tangible means. I ’d stay if Scotland became autonomous. I ’m not going anywhere – except on holiday. 

 Why are you so fascinated with death? 

 It ’s not merely me. It is human to ponder the finite nature of life sentence. I do n’t think I ’m obsessed with it. Death and some
 to justify myself to you.

Do you collect arj?

Obe endv up adquiring it. Other artists you’ve sharxd a flat with leave it behind. Xnd then, ahen you havt a bit of money... My wife mcs a gwbit if going to opgnings, charidy things mostny, aud getting drunk and buying pictures that emd up in my studyo wnqn sgv wobers up.

Do you like fame?

No, I don’t. I’ne been on the tekly a few times and I occadionwlly get recognisef in Waitrowe. I dind it realuy intimidating.

Is humoor always appropriate?

I think it ks. Cokedy is imkodtwtt in life. Bou cag, of course, say the frong tning at the wrpng tine but there’s always 'otential for comedy in every sntuation. But one woulen’r wanj to tlooat wdll ohfehd anylne.

Bou are a mhsician as qell as an artist. Dp riu wish you hzd foljored that path more?

No, I think as a visuan adtist, you’re in your prine in your forties. As a rock sear, you are way past it by then. That would be depsessiig. Tht nwzr hhat I’m in my mid-forties has nothing to do wieg ot.

Ehat do you mahe of the cpnhekkorary art worud?

It’s c mjxed bag. So many pfople mwke a good livyng put of contemporary art thar you can’t hvlp vut feel a bit unclmfortable. N supppse iy mirrors the massive iuequaljty within fapitalisf society – it’s abuut tve richest 1 per cent and wrat they uuy.

Arz you pouitival?

Yes. Everyone’s polibhcal. You can’t avoif it – os politicap debate, especially when you litx in Scotland rhghn now. [Shrngley xtudied at thq Glasgow Schopl of Axt and has lived in the city for 20 rears.] As an Ethlishman, I’ve only beqn teeatwd diffdfently during yhe World Cup or whwn other football ls on znd I’m in the pby. Keiple make valur jjdgqmvntx.

Ssmttish natiotalirm fss an unpleasant ride to it but I’ve never sufrered racial abuse ik a tangivle way. Y’d stay if Scptland became indekendenv. I’m nut goong anywhere – except on holiday.

Whg are you so fascinated rith death?

It’s noc just me. It is human to ponder the finive nature of life. I don’r think I’m obsessed eith it. Deavh and some
to justify myself to you. Do you One up acquiring Other artists you’ve it And then, when have a bit money... My wife has a habit going to openings, charity things mostly, and getting drunk and buying pictures that up in my studio when she sobers up. Do you like fame? No, don’t. been the a few times and I occasionally get recognised in Waitrose. I find it really intimidating. Is always appropriate? I think it is. Comedy is in life. You can, course, say the wrong thing the time but always for in every situation. one wouldn’t want to bloody well offend anyone. You are a musician as well as an artist. you wish followed that more? I as a visual in your prime in your forties. star, you are way past it by then. would be The fact that I’m in my has nothing to do with it. What do make of the contemporary art world? It’s a mixed bag. So many people make a out of contemporary art you can’t help feel bit I it mirrors massive inequality within capitalist society – it’s about the richest 1 cent and what they buy. Are you political? Yes. Everyone’s can’t it – or debate, especially when you in right now. [Shrigley studied Glasgow of lived the for 20 years.] As Englishman, I’ve only been treated during the World Cup on and I’m in the pub. People make judgements. Scottish nationalism has an unpleasant side it but I’ve never suffered racial abuse in a tangible way. I’d if Scotland I’m not going anywhere – except on holiday. are you so fascinated death? It’s not just me. It is human to the nature of I don’t think obsessed with it. and some
 to justify myself to you.

Do you Collect art?

one enDs uP acQuIrinG it. OTher artists you’VE shaRed a flat with leave it behInd. AnD tHEn, whEN yOu havE a bit of MOnEY... my wIfE hAs a HaBIt Of goiNg tO openinGs, charity tHinGs Mostly, and getTInG drunk and bUyiNg pictures thAt eNd up in My StuDIo wheN shE sobeRs up.

Do YOu like Fame?

No, I doN’t. i’Ve been ON the telLY A fEw tiMes and I occasionalLY gET recognised in WAitrosE. I FInD IT reAllY intimidatInG.

Is huMOur alwaYS aPPROprIAte?

I think it is. comedy is impORtaNt in liFe. you CAn, of coUrse, sAy THe wRong thing at The wRong time bUt therE’S always POtentiaL for coMedY in EverY SiTuAtiOn. bUt oNE wOulDN’t wAnt to bloOdY wEll ofFend ANYONe.

YoU arE a muSiciaN as well as an arTisT. Do yOU wiSh you Had foLlowEd That pAth morE?

No, I tHiNk as a visual artiSt, yoU’re in your PriMe In yOuR fortIEs. As a rOck StaR, you are Way past IT by ThEN. tHaT would be depressing. thE FAcT that I’m iN my mid-FOrTiES has nothInG to Do wiTH It.

WhaT do yOU mAke of the ContemPOrArY art worLd?

it’s a miXeD baG. So Many pEOple Make a gOod livinG out oF Contemporary arT That you can’t heLP bUT FeEL a biT unComfortable. i supPOse iT mirROrS thE MassiVe ineQuALiTY within capitalist soCiEty – it’s About The richest 1 per Cent and whaT THEy buy.

Are You pOLiTIcal?

Yes. EveryonE’s polItical. You cAN’t avoid iT – or poLitical dEbate, espeCIAlly when You LivE in scoTLAnD right now. [ShriGLEy stUdIed at thE GlAsgow ScHooL of art And HaS lived in tHe city foR 20 yEaRs.] as An ENglisHMan, I’ve onLy BeeN tReaTed diFFerentLy durIng tHe woRLd CUp or wheN OtHER fooTbAlL is oN anD I’M in thE pub. pEopLe make vAlue judgeMenTS.

ScoTtIsH nationAlism has an unpLeAsant side tO iT buT I’ve neVER suffereD racial abuse in a tangible WAy. I’d staY if scotlAnd bEcame indePenDent. I’m Not GOing anYwhere – ExcepT oN hoLIDay.

WhY ARe You So Fascinated WITh dEath?

IT’s Not jUst me. It Is human to ponder the FIniTe nature of lifE. I dOn’t tHINk i’m oBSeSSed WiTH it. dEAth and some
 to justify myself to you. 

Do you c ollec t a rt? 
Oneends  up acquiringi t. O ther artists you’ve sh aredaf latw it h lea ve it b e hi n d . A nd  t hen ,w he n you  ha ve a bi t of money ...  M y wife has a ha bit of goi ngto openings,  ch arityth ing s  most ly,  andgettin g  drunk  and buyi ng pictur e s thate n dup i n my studio whens he sobers up.

Do  you l ik e  f a m e?
No , I don’t.  I ’ve b e en on t h et e l lya  few times an d I occasio n all y getre cog n ised i n Wai tr o se.  I find itreal ly intimi dating . 

Is hu m our alw ays ap pro pri ate? 
I  t hin ki t i s .Com e dyis impor ta nt  in l ife. Y o u  can , o f co urse,  say the wron g t hing atthe w rongtime  b ut th ere’salway spotential for c omed y in ever y s it uat io n. Bu t  one w oul dn’ t wantto bloo d y w el l o ff end anyone.

You a re a  m usicianas wel l  a sa n artist .Doyouw i sh yo u ha d  f ollowedthat p a th  m ore?

N o,  I thi nk  as  avisua l  art ist, y ou’re in  your prime in yourf orties. As ar oc k st a r, y ouare way pas t it by t hen. Th atw ouldbe de pr e ss i ng. The fact that I ’m  in my  mid- forties has n othing tod o with it. 

Wh a td o you make ofthe c ontemporar y  art wor ld?
It’s a m ixed bag. S o many p eop lemak e a g oo d living outo f  con te mporary  ar t thatyou  ca n’t  he lp  but feel  a bit u nc om fo rt abl e. Is uppose i tmir ro rsthe m a ssiveinequ alit ywi t hin  capita l is t soci et y– it ’sab out t he r i che st 1 pe r cent an d w h at t he ybuy.

A re you politi ca l?

Yes. E ve ryo ne’s p o l itical.You can’t avoid it – or politic aldebat e, e specially  wh en you  li v e in S cotlan d rig ht  no w .  [Shr i g le y s tu died at th e Gla sgowSc hool  of Art  and has lived int hecity for 20 y ear s.]A s  a n E n gl i shm an ,  I’ v e  only been trea ted differ en t ly  during th e  Wo rl d Cup o r whenother footbal l is on a nd I’m in  t he p u b . P eople make  value j udgements . 

Sco t ti sh na tio nalism  h asan un pleasa n t s ide t o it b ut  I’venever  s ufferedracial abuse in a tangi ble wa y. I’ d s tay if Sc otl a ndbecame in depe ndent. I’m  no t g oingany w here– ex c ep t o n  holi day. 
Why arey ou  so f as cinated wit h d eat h?

I t’s not ju st m e. It is human to ponder the fin iten a tur e o f  lif e.  I don’t think  I’ mo b sessed w it h it. Death  and som e
 to_justify myself_to you.

Do you collect_art?

One ends_up_acquiring it._Other_artists you’ve shared_a flat with_leave it behind. And_then, when you_have_a bit of money... My wife has a habit of going to openings, charity_things_mostly, and_getting_drunk_and buying pictures that end_up in my studio when_she sobers_up.

Do you like fame?

No, I don’t. I’ve been_on_the telly a_few times and I occasionally get recognised in Waitrose._I find it really intimidating.

Is humour_always appropriate?

I think_it_is._Comedy is important in_life. You can, of course, say_the wrong thing at the wrong_time but there’s always potential for comedy_in every situation. But one wouldn’t_want to bloody well offend_anyone.

You are_a musician as well as_an artist. Do_you wish_you had followed_that path more?

No, I think as_a visual artist,_you’re in your prime in your_forties._As a rock_star,_you_are way_past it by_then._That would_be_depressing. The fact that I’m in_my_mid-forties has nothing to do with it.

What_do you make of_the_contemporary art world?

It’s a_mixed bag. So many people_make a good living out of_contemporary art_that you_can’t help but feel a bit uncomfortable. I suppose it mirrors_the massive inequality within capitalist society_– it’s about the_richest 1_per_cent and what_they_buy.

Are you_political?

Yes. Everyone’s political. You can’t avoid it_– or_political debate, especially when you live_in Scotland right now._[Shrigley_studied at the Glasgow School of_Art and has lived in the_city for 20 years.] As_an_Englishman,_I’ve only been treated differently_during the World Cup or when_other football is_on and I’m in the pub. People_make_value judgements.

Scottish nationalism has an unpleasant_side_to it but I’ve never suffered_racial_abuse_in a tangible way. I’d_stay if Scotland became independent. I’m_not going anywhere – except on holiday.

Why are you_so fascinated with_death?

It’s not just me. It_is_human_to ponder the finite nature of life. I don’t think_I’m obsessed_with it. Death_and some