Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst (b. 1965) is one of the most influential and internationally recognised British artists of his generation. Born in Bristol, Hirst rose to prominence in London during the late 1980s and became a central figure in the Young British Artists (YBAs), a generation that transformed the British contemporary art landscape.

Hirst’s practice spans painting, sculpture, installation and drawing, exploring themes including life, death, science, religion, beauty and value. His most recognisable bodies of work include the Spot Paintings, Spin Paintings, butterfly works and celebrated vitrines and sculptures incorporating preserved animals.

Hirst works from Science Studios near Stroud, Gloucestershire, a substantial purpose-built complex incorporating studios, workshops, storage and exhibition spaces. The facility reflects the scale and technical demands of his diverse artistic practice.

In 2021, Hirst launched The Currency, comprising 10,000 unique hand-painted works on paper, each initially paired with a corresponding NFT. The project examined the relationship between physical and digital ownership and questioned how value is assigned to art.

Hirst has exhibited extensively at major international museums and galleries, including a major retrospective at Tate Modern, London, in 2012. His work is held in significant public and private collections internationally and continues to attract strong interest from collectors worldwide.

Today, Hirst remains a pivotal figure in contemporary art, continuing to challenge established ideas surrounding art, life, death, ownership and value.