Damien Hirst
Born – Bristol, England 1965
Damien Hirst has attracted controversy and respect in equal amounts. He is one of a generation of artists who have broken the boundaries between art and moral, ethical respectability. Initially noted for his work as a curator of alternative exhibitions while still a student at Goldsmith’s College (1986-1989), it is for his art that he has achieved international recognition. The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living is an oft-quoted, notorious example of his work. A tiger shark, one of the most feared creatures in the sea, is preserved in formaldehyde in a glass tank and rendered a passive museum object, an icon for contemplation. Face to face with a killer, we ponder on the wonder of death preserved can look so alive. Hirst has specialized in using vitrines and animals living – butterflies and maggts – dead and dismembered (sheep and cows), conveying a mood at once confrontational, clinical and distanced. Hirst’s conceptual work is less about conventional aesthetics and more about a willingness to take risks and explore the ambiguities inherent in human thoughts and desires. He has stated, “I sometimes feel I have nothing to say. I often want to communicate this”.
Masterpieces:
- Acetic Anhydride
- A Thousand Years
Text: The A-Z of Art, Nicola Hodge and Libby Anson.
Books About damien hirst
I Want To Spend The Rest Of My Life Everywhere, With Everyone...(signed edition)
Damien Hirst
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Damien Hirst
Ann Gallagher
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On the Way to Work
Gordon Burn
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