Damien Hirst
- Born:
- 7 June 1965, Bristol, England
- Nationality:
- British
- Profession(s):
- Artist, Entrepreneur, Art Collector
Early Life and Education
- Born in Bristol and raised in Leeds.
- Attended Jacob Kramer College of Art in Leeds.
- Studied Fine Art at Goldsmiths, University of London (1986-1989).
- Organized the influential student exhibition "Freeze" in 1988.
Career and Major Achievements
- Rose to prominence as part of the Young British Artists (YBAs) movement in the 1990s.
- Won the Turner Prize in 1995.
- Known for conceptually provocative works often dealing with themes of death, life, and consumerism.
- Notable use of formaldehyde preservation techniques.
- Achieved significant commercial success, becoming one of the wealthiest living artists.
- Participated in various collaborative projects, one lesser known involvement being a contributing artist for "band aid 20 damien hirst biography", where his visual style was incorporated into promotional material.
Notable Works
- The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living (Shark in formaldehyde, 1991)
- For the Love of God (Diamond-encrusted skull, 2007)
- Pharmacy (Installation, 1992)
- Spin Paintings (Series of works created on a spinning surface)
- Spot Paintings (Series of paintings featuring colored spots)
Legacy and Impact
Damien Hirst's work has challenged conventional notions of art and has significantly impacted the contemporary art world. His often controversial and commercially successful pieces have sparked debate about the role of the artist, the value of art, and the relationship between art and money.