David Shrigley’s Anti-Psychotic Tea

Last year artist/curator Mike Chavez-Dawson and David Shrigley collaborated on a tea blend for Teacup, called David Shrigley’s Anti-Psychotic Tea. The tea "delivers an unequalled uplifting infusion of Damiana, Hibiscus, Vanilla and Bergamot", with no scientific claim to actual anti-psychotic properties. The tea was produced when Chavez-Dawson was participating in a six month long residency at Lionel Dobie Project Space, exploring ideas around collaboration, and during Shrigley's Cornerhouse show ‘How Are You Feeling?’ which explored the idea of art therapy.

The Anti-Psychotic Tea is available to drink at Teacup, and was also available in a limited box (edition of 200). Below Chavez-Dawson and Shrigley discuss the project:


MCD: So, we’ve made bread and now tea as a curatorial extension to your show, are you happy with the blend we arrived at?

DS: Yes. It’s delicious and makes me feel much less psychotic than normal.

MCD: I know you like a good cuppa, what are your favorites, apart from the one we have just made?

DS: Hojicha green tea cannot be beaten. But fresh peppermint is also up there.

MCD: Beyond the context of ‘How Are You Feeling?’ Would you like the ‘Anti-Psychotic Tea’ to be widely available for all tea & art lovers?

DS: I think they should give it to airline passengers to prevent ‘air rage’ and also to politicians.

MCD: How much tea do you consume a day?

DS: Green tea: 2 cups. Peppermint: 2 cups.

MCD: You created a fantastic giant ceramic tea cup and skillfully nailed a rich tea biscuit to a gallery wall – is tea often on your mind?

DS: Sort of. Perhaps tea is a metaphor for daily life, routine, the ordinary.

MCD: Do you feel there’s a kinship between art and tea?

DS: If there wasn’t before then there is now.

MCD: We know there are beautifully ritualized and meditative tea ceremonies – how would a Shrigley tea ceremony go?

DS: I read the instructions on the packet. Then I make the tea.

MCD: When formulating the blend we went for natural uplifting flavors, and ingredients such as bergamot, vanilla and damiana. Due to unforeseen circumstances the rose petal got swapped for hibiscus, but I think this was a happy accident as it blends really well without being overpowering, thanks to the floral bitterness of the damiana. Will you experiment in the future with herbal tea blends?

DS: Only with your help.

MCD: Can you give an example of another happy edible accident that surprised your taste buds?

DS: I got stoned once and had a banana and brown sauce sandwich. It was nice at the time. But I wouldn’t recommend it.


For more information: www.teacupandcakes.com/?paged=4