Contemporary Artist Auctions Off Massive 10-Ton Pile of Vintage Rope Art for a Staggering Price

Table of Contents

• Modern Artist Selling Old Rope
• About the Exhibition
• Price Justification
• Criticism
• Exhibition Details

A contemporary artist is offering a ten-ton pile of old rope — for £1 million.

David Shrigley, 57, dedicated months to collecting discarded lengths from various locations across the country for an exhibition.

Artist David Shrigley is selling a ten-ton pile of old rope for £1 millionCredit: AFP The artwork weighs the same as a double-decker bus and would stretch 20 miles if laid end to end,Credit: davidshrigley

The completed “piece,” stacked high on an art gallery floor, weighs as much as a double-decker bus and would extend 20 miles if laid out in a straight line.

Shrigley remarked: “This exhibition began with an idiom. Old rope is considered useless.

“It’s also challenging to recycle, which is why there’s so much of it left unused.

“I thought, ‘What if I create a literal exhibition of old rope’?

“And then announce, ‘Yes, this is it, and yes, you can purchase it for £1 million’.”

Rope of various ages, colors, and thicknesses was collected from sites nationwide, including Dartford.

Its previous uses ranged from mooring cruise liners to thinner cords for crab and lobster pots.

Shrigley cleaned and treated all the rope in his studio before showcasing it.

Regarding the £1 million price tag, he stated: “You are getting ten tons of contemporary art.

“By weight, I believe it offers exceptional value.”

However, Sun art critic Toulouse Le Plot commented: “It’s the most absurd thing I’ve ever seen.

“David should focus on creating genuine art and stop leading people on.”

Shrigley was nominated in 2013 for a sculpture depicting a man urinating in a bucket.

The "Exhibition of Old Rope" will be on display at the Stephen Friedman Gallery until December 20.

The "Exhibition of Old Rope" will be held at London’s Stephen Friedman Gallery until December 20Credit: PA