The Bell

This work consists of a brass bell placed next to a sign reading 'NOT TO BE RUNG AGAIN UNTIL JESUS RETURNS'. At a glance, the sign appears to be made from a piece of folded over card on which the words have been hand-written in capitals with felt-tip pen. However, on closer inspection, it becomes clear that it is made from aluminium. The bell itself seems to have been Shrigley's inspiration for the work. Having purchased it at a flea market, it remained in his studio for a long time while he imagined how he might use it. The appealing comedy, reference to religion, and amateur style of writing are all typical of Shrigley's work. As Michael Bracewell suggests, Shrigley's sculpture and drawings describe 'an arcane, dangerous world in which the smallest of incidents present moral crisis and the best intentions of sanity or innocence are challenged by the forces of evil.' In this case, Shrigley seems to be pointing towards the irony of moralising in situations which make no moral sense, as well as questioning both the 'claims of fine art to instruct or enlighten' and the 'reduction of life to a constant battle between good and evil.' Helen Loughlan

• Artwork Details: 155.5 x 50 x 50cm Bell, 31 x 17 x 17cm Sign, 7 x 10 x 9cm
• Edition:
• Material description: Brass bell, aluminium sign
• Credit line: © the artist
• Theme: Undefined
• Medium: Sculpture
• Accession number: ACC10/2008