Quiz Time | Complete the Phrase from the Artist's Work

Multiple choice quiz alert! Word play features heavily in works by some of the gallery’s favourite artists, including David Shrigley, Banksy and Harland Miller. We’ve muddled up the slogans from some of their paintings, editions and street pieces below: Read the beginning of each phrase, then see if you can identify which of the second parts is the real deal and which are fakes…

1. Harland Miller is known for his witty take on Penguin book covers, which have garnered him a celebrity following. In 2019, he held a book launch attended by Gary Lineker, Jarvis Cocker and Ronnie Wood. But from which of his paintings did his book take its name? “In shadows I...

a) boogie”

b) frolic”

c) disappear”

2. In April 2011, a new Banksy popped up in London’s Fitzrovia. Featuring one of the artist’s trademark rats, it also included the scrawled words, “If graffiti changed anything…

a) I would be famous”

b) It would be illegal”

c) Rats would be in charge”

3. One of David Shrigley’s best-loved editions features a huge red heart alongside the words “I love pets and things and…

a) Money”

b) Art”

c) People”

4. Bonus Shrigley: What did the artist have to say in his 2020 picture of a cheery blue whale? “I’ve never seen you but...

a) Knowing you are there makes me happy”

b) I’ve only heard nice things about you”

c) One day I’ll learn to scuba dive”

5. Known for their witticisms accompanied by imagery straight from the golden age of femmes fatales, The Connor Brothers always include words with their pictures. One 2020 edition featured one such woman being strong-armed by a policeman, alongside the words “Those who say it cannot be done should…

a) Try again with less swearing”

b) Copy someone more capable”

c) Not interrupt those who are doing it”

6. Back in 1986, Keith Haring headed to East Harlem to create one of his most famous murals. But which words did he emblazon on it? “Crack is…

a) Wack”

b) Back”

c) Banned”

7. Known for her dry wit and low-key commentary on political affairs, Magda Archer’s 2020 print (completed during the COVID pandemic) proclaimed “It’s all gone a bit...

a) Pete Tong”

b) Sid & Nancy”

c) Richard & Judy”

8. We love Lauren Baker’s feel-good editions of neons, which are instantly uplifting. One of our favourites features the phrase “Together we will...

a) Love better”

b) Burn brighter”

c) Have beautiful babies”

9. Tracey Emin’s recent White Cube exhibition took its name from a painting that featured her trademark writing displayed prominently over a naked couple. But what did it say? “Living under the...

a) West Way”

b) Big red words”

c) Hunters Moon”

10. Tim Fishlock’s typographic paintings feature lists of words that are seemingly straight from the mouths of social media trolls. Can you complete the list from this 2021 painting? “Hedge Funding Fashion Chasing Private Viewing Piss…

a) Trumpet”

b) Fiddle”

c) Bongo”

Answers...

1 - a

2 - b

3 - c

4 - a

5 - c

6 - a

7 - b

8 - b

9 - c

10 - a

How did you get on?

Less than four out of ten…

It’s time to study Shrigley, educate yourself on Emin and brush up on your Banksy. We can help!

Four to seven out of ten…

Not bad… but not that good either. We recommend a cup of tea and a browse of our site to plug the gaps in your knowledge.

Seven and above…

Well done! You can see into the complicated minds of many an artist, and clearly appreciate witty wordplay.