The First Physical VOTE Exhibition: David Shrigley vs Joan Cornellà

For the first time ever from 12 - 20 June 2022, Singapore bears witness to a colossal clash of titans within the art world - David Shrigley and Joan Cornellà. Across the span of over a year, the dark-humour throwdown between British artist, David Shrigley, and Spanish satirist, Joan Cornellà, has transpired as the latest ground-breaking racket entitled VOTE. This bilateral immersion of artistic input resulted in a set consisting of 8 silkscreen prints, which embody the satirical and cynical sense of dark humour shared by both artists. In addition, never-before-seen digital artworks born out of their collaboration will pose as a revelation unique to Void Deck. This groundbreaking event is hosted by Void Deck through the foundational initiative of the eCommerce platform, DDT Store. 

The works by these artists have become the acting comic relief of the humdrum, and most of us have come to be acquainted with their web comics and one-liners. In this exhibition, the incisive nature of the duo's works is set against the local backdrop of an often fast-paced and repetitive lifestyle, becoming even more pronounced and ultimately generating subtle visual cues that challenge the sacrality of social norms. VOTE serves as the ultimate spur for new-age opinion leaders, celebrity artists, and the general public to meld into conversations built on the overarching theme of conveying broader perspectives while pushing for a narrative where liberal philosophies are able to coexist within culturalism; its presence on the walls will remain as that stark daily reminder.

At Void Deck, the formalities of an art show shall take a backseat to the fun and entertainment the host can dish up. Visitors can expect a slew of activities complementing the exhibition theme to take place. As a commemoration for its inaugural entry into the fray of the local art market, Void Deck will also be unveiling exclusive sculptural works available for purchase only through the brand's physical and online platforms.

About David Shrigley

David Shrigley OBE was born in 1968 and grew up in Leicester, UK. He studied at Glasgow School of Art from 1988 to 1991 and now lives in Branscombe and Brighton. His work encompasses media including drawing, painting, sculpture, animation, performance, and music, of which have been exhibited in many different countries. Shrigley’s drawings have appeared in numerous newspapers and magazines, and he has authored over 30 graphic books. In 2012 he had a retrospective exhibition at Hayward Gallery in London. In 2013 he was both shortlisted for the Turner Prize and awarded the 2016 Fourth Plinth commission for Trafalgar Square. He was awarded OBE, an official British honour presented by the Queen, for his contribution to the Visual Arts sector in 2020.

About Joan Cornellà

Over the last decade, Joan Cornellà skyrocketed to internet fame with absurd and disturbing cartoons outlining the anxious, disconnected nature of contemporary life. The Spanish-born artist originally worked as an illustrator for a number of Spanish publications and contributed to the New York Times, reserving his darkest works for his Instagram and Twitter feeds. Though much of Cornellà’s cachet derives from fans’ social media shares, the artist has also exhibited at shows in New York and Hong Kong with his works fetching up to US$45,000 on the secondary market. Cornellà views the contrast between his cheery comic-book colour palette and the deadpan violence that befalls his characters as instructive. He believes that misery laughed at may serve as an enlightenment in the examination of that humour.

About Void Deck

Void Deck strays from a traditional art dealership and centres its pop-up exhibitions around art that transcend the worlds of fine arts and popular culture to create departure points for conversations to take place. This move resounds with the space’s ongoing mission to make art, be it limited-edition prints or highly sought-after collectibles, more inclusive and affordable for anyone and everyone while debunking the myth that art is meant only for the wealthy. Ultimately, the works shown in the space boil down to three words — “authentic”, “fun”, and “cool”, and they still set accessible departure points for the heady conversations to unravel themselves among the like-minded community built within and around its walls. Besides on-site exhibitions, Void Deck further pools in on its offerings by working alongside outdoor venues and real estate companies with the intention to integrate simultaneous exhibitions, permanent or otherwise, in multiple other cities, countries, and also in the metaverse, which will come to fruition in due time. The Singapore venue is the founding premise within an upcoming network of physical spaces.

Exhibition Dates: 12 - 20 June
Address: 425 Race Course Road, 218671 Singapore

All images courtesy of Void Deck and DDT Store