Damien Hirst (1965) - photo 1

Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst is a seminal figure in contemporary art, well-known for his provocative and often controversial works that explore themes of death, rebirth, and the boundaries of art itself. As a leading member of the Young British Artists (YBAs) in the 1990s, Hirst catapulted to fame with his innovative approach to art that combines the techniques of installation, sculpture, and painting.

Damien Hirst's early career was marked by his organization of the pivotal "Freeze" exhibition in 1988, showcasing his and his peers' work, which caught the attention of influential art collectors. This period laid the groundwork for his signature works, including the 'Natural History' series, where animals such as sharks, sheep, and cows are preserved in formaldehyde, challenging viewers to confront the nature of existence and the inevitability of death​​​​​​.

Among Damien Hirst's most iconic pieces is "The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living," featuring a tiger shark suspended in formaldehyde, and "For the Love of God," a platinum cast of an 18th-century human skull encrusted with 8,601 flawless diamonds. These works exemplify Hirst's exploration of mortality and the commodification of art​​​​​​.

Damien Hirst's 'Spot Paintings' and 'Spin Paintings' further demonstrate his challenge to traditional notions of authorship and the creative process, often involving teams of assistants in their production. These series play with concepts of randomness, control, and the aesthetic joys of color and form, pushing the boundaries of painting as a medium​​.

In 2017, Hirst embarked on "Treasures from the Wreck of the Unbelievable," an ambitious project that filled Venetian museums with artifacts from a fictional ancient shipwreck. This project, blending reality and fiction, invited audiences to question the authenticity and value of art, showcasing Hirst's ongoing interest in storytelling and myth-making within the context of contemporary culture​​.

For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Damien Hirst represents a pivotal figure whose works challenge, provoke, and inspire. His ability to blur the lines between art, science, and commerce has left an indelible mark on the art world, making his pieces highly sought after by collectors around the globe.

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Date and place of birt:7 june 1965, Bristol, United Kingdom
Nationality:United Kingdom
Period of activity: XX, XXI century
Specialization:Artist, Painter
Art school / group:Young British Artists
Art style:Expressionism, Modern art, Conceptual art, Contemporary art

Creators United Kingdom

Phoebe Anna Traquair (1852 - 1936)
Phoebe Anna Traquair
1852 - 1936
William Rothenstein (1872 - 1945)
William Rothenstein
1872 - 1945
Thomas Rowlandson (1757 - 1827)
Thomas Rowlandson
1757 - 1827
Philippe-Jacques de Loutherbourg (1740 - 1812)
Philippe-Jacques de Loutherbourg
1740 - 1812
Haroon Mirza (1977)
Haroon Mirza
1977
John Skinner Prout (1806 - 1876)
John Skinner Prout
1806 - 1876
Robert Hunter (1715 - 1803)
Robert Hunter
1715 - 1803
Charles Fairfax Murray (1849 - 1919)
Charles Fairfax Murray
1849 - 1919
Stanley Spencer (1891 - 1959)
Stanley Spencer
1891 - 1959
Thomas Houseago (1972)
Thomas Houseago
1972
Harland Miller (1964)
Harland Miller
1964
Lorna Selim (1928 - 2021)
Lorna Selim
1928 - 2021
William Powell Frith (1819 - 1909)
William Powell Frith
1819 - 1909
Edward Reginald Frampton (1872 - 1923)
Edward Reginald Frampton
1872 - 1923
Charles Catton (1728 - 1798)
Charles Catton
1728 - 1798
Antony Donaldson (1939)
Antony Donaldson
1939

Creators Conceptual art

Ricarda Roggan (1972)
Ricarda Roggan
1972
Yang Shaobin (1963)
Yang Shaobin
1963
Marc Lüders (1963)
Marc Lüders
1963
Moses Soyer (1899 - 1974)
Moses Soyer
1899 - 1974
Konstantin Alexeyevich Vasiliev (1942 - 1976)
Konstantin Alexeyevich Vasiliev
1942 - 1976
Patrick Rubinstein (1960)
Patrick Rubinstein
1960
Francis Joseph Bruguière (1879 - 1945)
Francis Joseph Bruguière
1879 - 1945
George Morris (1905 - 1975)
George Morris
1905 - 1975
Charles Rollier (1912 - 1968)
Charles Rollier
1912 - 1968
Vivian Springford (1913 - 2003)
Vivian Springford
1913 - 2003
Nguyen Tu Nghiem (1922 - 2016)
Nguyen Tu Nghiem
1922 - 2016
Willem van Veldhuizen (1954)
Willem van Veldhuizen
1954
Spencer Finch (1962)
Spencer Finch
1962
Karl Knaths (1891 - 1971)
Karl Knaths
1891 - 1971
Kent Bellows (1949 - 2005)
Kent Bellows
1949 - 2005
František Kyncl (1934 - 2011)
František Kyncl
1934 - 2011
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