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April Fool Project (AllRightsReserved)

David Shrigley's 'April Fool Project' groups six screenprints and five ceramic sculptures released from 2020 to 2023 by AllRightsReserved, Hong Kong. Its numbered volumes were timed to April Fools' Day and sold through DDT Store, its online shop, pairing his hand-lettered one-liners with small painted ceramics.

All April Fool Project (AllRightsReserved) Works By David Shrigley (11)

Significance & Analysis

The 'April Fool Project' turned a joke date into a recurring release, carrying Shrigley's text-based humour from the printed sheet into painted ceramic. It began in 2020 as the third instalment of 'MEET PROJECT', AllRightsReserved's programme of artist collaborations, and its first volume was presented as end-of-the-world advice against anxiety and loneliness.

Three volumes

The first volume, in 2020, set the pattern: two screenprints and a coiled ceramic snake, 'Serpent'. The 2021 volume added four screenprints and a painted ceramic, 'You Are Special'. 'Vol.3' in 2023 was a single sculpture, 'Stink', a painted ceramic perfume bottle. Shrigley said of it: "You can use the perfume bottle to put your own STINK in, or it can just be an imaginary STINK. The choice is yours."

Advice, insults and confessions

The prints work in his familiar register of deadpan instruction and blunt feeling. 'Keep Your Ass Away From The Cactus' is advice he said came from experience: "It is most certainly not a good idea for your bare behind to touch the cactus. You can trust me on this: I have experience of cacti." 'Double Cheeseburger End Of The World Giveaway' offers free cheeseburgers to soften the disappointment of the apocalypse, which, he noted, "is still a long way off." The 2021 prints swap advice for blunt declarations, from 'I Am Elegant I Am Oh so Very Elegant' to 'I Hate Human Beings' and 'Fuck'.

Sculptures with a message

Shrigley presented 'Serpent' against type: "In many cultures, the snake is seen as representing wickedness or dishonesty. However, this snake represents truth and positivity." Two animal figures belong to the same 'You Are Special' line. 'I Cannot Change My Spots but I Have No Desire to Change My Spots' gives a leopard the last word on the old proverb, turning resignation into contentment. 'I Must Rest My Rampage is Over' gives an elephant a moment of exhausted calm.

At auction

The highest result in the five years to October 2026 was $8,820 with fees for a pair of 'I've Got Your Lipstick' and 'Fuck', both numbered 53/125, at Phillips New York in October 2022. The strongest single print was 'Fuck', which made £5,080 with fees at Phillips London in January 2024; 'I Am Elegant I Am Oh so Very Elegant' reached £5,040 with fees there in June 2022. Among the ceramics, 'I Cannot Change My Spots but I Have No Desire to Change My Spots' made HK$10,965 with fees at Phillips Hong Kong in November 2025.

What came next

In 2022 the April slot went to a collaboration instead. 'Vote', made with the Spanish cartoonist Joan Cornellà, opened with a set of eight prints sold by draw through the same shop. Shrigley returned to a single ceramic for 'Vol.3' the following year.

What Are the Edition Sizes and Dimensions of the April Fool Project Works?

All six screenprints are editions of 125, printed to the edges of a 76 x 56 cm sheet; the two 2020 prints are on Kakita paper. 'Serpent' is an edition of 250 and measures 24 x 18.5 x 16.5 cm. The other four ceramics are editions of 75: 'You Are Special (Sculpture)' measures 8.5 x 12 x 11 cm, 'Stink' 16.5 x 12 x 12 cm, 'I Cannot Change My Spots but I Have No Desire to Change My Spots' 19 x 12 x 11 cm and 'I Must Rest My Rampage is Over' 21.5 x 16.5 x 20 cm, all height x width x depth.

Why Did Shrigley Release Work on April Fools' Day?

Shrigley has called April Fools' Day his favourite day of the year, and the date suits the dry humour of the works. The 2020 and 2021 volumes were announced a few days ahead and went on sale online on 1 April at the same moment worldwide: 12pm in London, 7am in New York and 7pm in Hong Kong. 'Stink' followed the same April timing in 2023.

Were the 2021 Prints Sold as Sets?

Yes. The four 2021 screenprints were released as two sets of two rather than individually. 'You Are Special Silkscreen Set 1' paired 'I Am Elegant I Am Oh so Very Elegant' with 'I Hate Human Beings', and 'Set 2' paired 'Fuck' with 'I've Got Your Lipstick'. Both prints in a set were issued with one shared edition number. Sets have since been split, and the prints also come up individually at auction.

How Are the April Fool Project Editions Numbered and Certified?

Every work comes with a certificate of authenticity signed and numbered by Shrigley. The screenprints are numbered in pencil on the reverse of the sheet, and the certificate carries the same number. The ceramics are numbered on the underside, and 'I Cannot Change My Spots but I Have No Desire to Change My Spots' is also titled on its tail. The sculptures were issued in wooden boxes, several with a design printed on the lid.