My London: David Shrigley

Home is…

Brighton, with my wife Kim and the dog, a miniature schnauzer called Inka. I live 10 minutes from the beach.

Last gig you saw?

I went to Cafe Oto in Dalston to see Bill Orcutt, an American avant-garde guitarist. It was fantastic; and a fantastic venue.

What do you do for Valentine’s Day every year?

I’m quite romantic, but Kim isn’t at all, so we tend not to do anything. Occasionally, I make some gesture, but it’s never reciprocated. She berates me for buying flowers.

Who is your hero?

Andy Warhol (Marilyn, above) and Marcel Duchamp are my art heroes, definitely. You could argue that all of contemporary art owes a huge debt to those two artists.

Where would you recommend for a first date?

One of the first dates with my wife was at a pub called The Falcon in Clapham. My wife is really bad with details and names and places. I went to meet her and she was at another pub round the corner. It was in the days before mobile phones. We found each other in the end but it took at least a couple of hours.

Best meal you’ve had?

I have enjoyed many fantastic dinners in Sketch. They have a tuna tartare which is very nice. And dangerous cocktails: you don’t want to have too many of those.

If you could buy any London building, which would it be?

No10 and No11 Downing Street. The Prime Minister and the Chancellor can move to some industrial estate in Acton.

What shop do you rely on?

John Smedley in the West End. It’s all merino wool and Sea Island cotton. I find a lot of people my age who are in my world — the art and creative world — tend to wear that kind of thing. Ekow Eshun and I did an ‘in conversation’ thing a couple of years ago. It was quite funny that we were both dressed exactly the same.

Most iconic Londoner?

Dick Van Dyke’s Bert from Mary Poppins, I would say. He speaks a bit like Russell Brand does now.

Where do you stay in London?

The Groucho Club. I often end up there late and I like the fact you can then just go upstairs once you get chucked out of the bar. The breakfast (above) is always good. I normally have avocado and egg on toast. That’s the ideal hangover cure.

Where would you most like to be buried?

If I’ve got a choice, Highgate Cemetery. With a badly rendered statue, à la Karl Marx (above).

What is your London secret?

I know where all the public toilets are that you don’t have to pay for. It’s important to know these things if you don’t actually have an office in London.