Damien Hirst
  • Biography
  • Artworks
  • Exhibitions
  • Movements

Damien Hirst

United Kingdom • 1965  680 followers

Iconic British contemporary artist known for provocative works exploring themes of death, science, and religion.

Biography

Damien Hirst, born in 1965 in Bristol, England, is a pioneering figure in contemporary art, best known for his provocative and groundbreaking work that explores themes of life, death, and science. As a leading member of the Young British Artists (YBAs) movement, Hirst's art has left an indelible mark on the art world since the late 1980s. His work challenges conventional boundaries and continues to resonate globally, with exhibitions in major institutions like Tate Modern and the Gagosian Gallery.

In 2023, Damien Hirst's exhibition The Currency made headlines, merging traditional art with NFTs. Featuring 10,000 unique spot paintings paired with digital tokens, it allowed buyers to choose between the physical artwork or its digital version. The show, held at Hirst's Newport Street Gallery in London, explored art ownership and the role of blockchain in the art market, positioning Hirst as a key figure in the digital art revolution. This exhibition underscores Hirst's continued influence and innovation in the evolving art landscape.

Hirst gained international fame with iconic works like "The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living", a tiger shark suspended in formaldehyde, which became a symbol of the 1990s art scene. His Spot Paintings and Medicine Cabinets have become signature pieces, blending art with science and challenging traditional ideas of beauty and mortality. In 2007, Hirst made headlines with the "For the Love of God" platinum skull, encrusted with over 8,000 diamonds.

Throughout his career, Hirst has continuously pushed the boundaries of art, embracing a variety of mediums and themes. His Neo-expressionism and Abstract Expressionism influences are evident in works that delve into fame, religion, and the human experience. In recent years, he has continued to evolve, presenting new works in exhibitions like "Treasures from the Wreck of the Unbelievable" in Venice in 2017, with support from the Pinault Foundation.

Hirst's impact on the art world remains immense, with his works commanding high prices at auctions and attracting both admiration and controversy. His ability to provoke thought while exploring the intersection of art, science, and philosophy ensures his place as one of the most important and influential contemporary artists today.

Read more
Painting, Shooting Stars, Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Painting - 2.5 x 2.5 x 0.5 cm Painting - 1 x 1 x 0.2 inch

$2,718

Print, Fruitful (Small), Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Print - 39 x 39 x 3 cm Print - 15.4 x 15.4 x 1.2 inch

$2,416

Sculpture, Deckchair (Red) - Open Edition, Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Sculpture - 121.9 x 77.5 x 8 cm Sculpture - 48 x 30.5 x 3.1 inch

$2,778

Photography, Self Portrait R, Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Photography - 21.5 x 25.5 x 0.1 cm Photography - 8.5 x 10 x 0 inch

$3,019

Painting, Scattered Spots 02/109, Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Painting - 2.5 x 2.5 x 0.5 cm Painting - 1 x 1 x 0.2 inch

$2,283

Print, Sans souci, Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Print - 92 x 126 x 3 cm Print - 36.2 x 49.6 x 1.2 inch

$22,948

Print, Cannizaro, Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Print - 92 x 126 x 3 cm Print - 36.2 x 49.6 x 1.2 inch

$22,948

Painting, Damien Hirst Spin Painting, Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Painting - 52.1 x 52.1 x 0.3 cm Painting - 20.5 x 20.5 x 0.1 inch

$20,000

Print, Fruitful (Large), Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Print - 78 x 78 x 3 cm Print - 30.7 x 30.7 x 1.2 inch

$3,382

Painting, Butterfly - Spin Painting, Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Painting - 48 x 65 cm Painting - 18.9 x 25.6 inch

$11,474

Print, The Empresses, set of 5, Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Print - 100 x 100 x 2 cm Print - 39.4 x 39.4 x 0.8 inch

$33,214

Print, Methylamine 13c, Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Print - 83.8 x 68.6 x 0.5 cm Print - 33 x 27 x 0.2 inch

$29,500

Painting, Heart - Spin Painting, Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Painting - 65 x 65 cm Painting - 25.6 x 25.6 inch

$9,058

Sculpture, Deckchair (Blue) - Open Edition, Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Sculpture - 121.9 x 77.5 x 8 cm Sculpture - 48 x 30.5 x 3.1 inch

$2,778

Print, Butterfly Rainbow (Large), Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Print - 48.2 x 100 x 3 cm Print - 19 x 39.4 x 1.2 inch

$3,382

Print, H8-2 Fruitful (Small), Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Print - 39 x 39 x 1 cm Print - 15.4 x 15.4 x 0.4 inch

$2,018

Painting, Heart, Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Painting - 52 x 52 x 0.1 cm Painting - 20.5 x 20.5 x 0 inch

$9,421

Print, Claridges (H5-4), Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Print - 90 x 90 x 1 cm Print - 35.4 x 35.4 x 0.4 inch

$13,847

Print, Jojoba Bean Oil, Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Print - 30.5 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Print - 12 x 12 x 0.1 inch

$14,625

Print, Throw it Around, Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Print - 112 x 91.4 x 0.3 cm Print - 44.1 x 36 x 0.1 inch

$9,375

Painting, Shark - Spin Painting, Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Painting - 50 x 71 cm Painting - 19.7 x 28 inch

$21,740

Print, Garden of Dreams, Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Print - 92 x 126 x 3 cm Print - 36.2 x 49.6 x 1.2 inch

$30,195

Print, Exmouth esplanade, Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Print - 90 x 90 x 1 cm Print - 35.4 x 35.4 x 0.4 inch

$10,870

Print, Wu Zetian, Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Print - 100 x 100 cm Print - 39.4 x 39.4 inch

$6,039

Print, Divinely Wise Cyclone, Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Print - 23 x 23 x 4 cm Print - 9.1 x 9.1 x 1.6 inch

$3,750

Print, Butterfly Heart (Large), Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Print - 70 x 72.7 x 3 cm Print - 27.6 x 28.6 x 1.2 inch

$3,865

Painting, Skull Spin Painting, Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Painting - 71 x 51 cm Painting - 28 x 20.1 inch

$10,266

Print, Suiko (The Empresses, H10-4), Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Print - 100 x 100 x 2 cm Print - 39.4 x 39.4 x 0.8 inch

$6,643

Sculpture, The Hours Spin Skull, Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Sculpture - 19 x 12.5 x 19.5 cm Sculpture - 7.5 x 4.9 x 7.7 inch

$10,025

Print, Studland bay, Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Print - 120 x 90 x 1 cm Print - 47.2 x 35.4 x 0.4 inch

$11,595

Print, Kynance Cove, Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Print - 120 x 90 x 1 cm Print - 47.2 x 35.4 x 0.4 inch

$11,595

Print, The empresses - Suiko, Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Print - 100 x 100 x 1 cm Print - 39.4 x 39.4 x 0.4 inch

$7,186

Painting, Beautiful painting, Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Painting - 23 x 23 x 2.5 cm Painting - 9.1 x 9.1 x 1 inch

$6,039

Print, Psalm: Diligam te, Domine, Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Print - 73.66 x 71.12 x 0.1 cm Print - 29 x 28 x 0 inch

$16,788

Print, Beautiful Painting Heni, Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Print - 23 x 23 x 2.5 cm Print - 9.1 x 9.1 x 1 inch

$6,039

Painting, House Spin Painting, Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Painting - 51.8 x 69.2 cm Painting - 20.4 x 27.2 inch

$14,493

Print, Poisons - Self Portrait X-Ray, Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Print - 21.5 x 26 x 3 cm Print - 8.5 x 10.2 x 1.2 inch

$1,449

Print, The Beautiful paintings, Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Print - 40 x 40 cm Print - 15.7 x 15.7 inch

$15,097

Print, Empresses: Suiko H10-4, Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Print - 100 x 100 x 1 cm Print - 39.4 x 39.4 x 0.4 inch

$5,500

Print, H13-4 Studland Bay, Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Print - 120 x 90 x 1 cm Print - 47.2 x 35.4 x 0.4 inch

Sold

Painting, Scattered Spots 109/109, Damien Hirst

Damien Hirst

Painting - 2.5 x 2.5 x 0.5 cm Painting - 1 x 1 x 0.2 inch

Sold

1/2

Discover our selections of works by artists

Need help finding your favorite? Consult our selection pages made for you.
Need to know more?
What is Damien Hirst famous for?
Damien Hirst is famous for his provocative artworks exploring themes of life and death, notably his preserved animals in formaldehyde and his spot paintings. He is a leading figure of the Young British Artists (YBA) movement.
What is Damien Hirst's net worth?
Damien Hirst's net worth is estimated to be around $384 million as of 2024. He is one of the wealthiest contemporary artists, known for his high-profile sales and innovative artworks.
Who is the richest painter alive?
Damien Hirst is widely considered the richest painter alive, with an estimated net worth exceeding $380 million. His success comes from both his art sales and innovative business ventures in the contemporary art market.
Why does Damien Hirst use pills?
Damien Hirst uses pills in his art to explore themes of life, death, and society’s reliance on pharmaceuticals. The pills symbolize both healing and addiction, questioning our trust in medicine and the commodification of health.