Hirst put a shark in formaldehyde and called it The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living. The title was longer than the shark. Charles Saatchi paid GBP50,000 for it in 1991, and the argument about whether it was art has not stopped since.
Key facts
- Born
- 1965, British
- Movement
- Works held in
- 9 museums[1]
Biography
He grew up in Leeds, failed his A-levels, and got into Goldsmiths on the strength of his portfolio. At Goldsmiths he organised Freeze, a student exhibition in a disused London Docklands warehouse in 1988 that launched the YBA (Young British Artists) movement. He was twenty-three and already better at generating attention than most artists manage in a lifetime.
The spot paintings are produced by assistants. The spin paintings are produced by a machine. The medicine cabinets contain real pharmaceuticals. The butterfly paintings use real butterflies. The diamond skull, For the Love of God, is a platinum cast of a human skull covered in 8,601 diamonds. It reportedly cost GBP14 million to make and was listed for sale at GBP50 million. Whether it actually sold, and to whom, remains unclear. Hirst has always been comfortable with ambiguity when it comes to money.
He became the richest living artist in Britain. In 2008 he bypassed galleries entirely and sold 223 works directly at Sotheby's for GBP111 million, on the same day Lehman Brothers collapsed. The critical reception of his later work has been poor. The Venice Biennale show Treasures from the Wreck of the Unbelievable in 2017 was widely panned. He continues to produce work. The market continues to absorb it.
Timeline
- 1965Born in Bristol; grew up in Leeds
- 1988Organised Freeze exhibition in a Docklands warehouse aged 23, while still at Goldsmiths
- 1991The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living (shark in formaldehyde) aged 26
- 1995Won Turner Prize aged 30
- 2007For the Love of God, platinum skull with 8,601 diamonds, aged 42
- 2008Sold 223 works at Sotheby's for GBP111m aged 43, the day Lehman Brothers collapsed
Notable Works
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Where to See Damien Hirst
3 museums worldwide.
-
28 works
National Gallery of Art
Washington, D.C., United States
-
7 works
Tate
Tate Britain, United Kingdom
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1 works
White Cube
London, United Kingdom
Related Artists
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Frequently Asked Questions
Damien hirst artwork style?
Damien Hirst is known for making powerful statements about death, decay, and impermanence. His works include pieces such as a shark in formaldehyde and a platinum skull encrusted with diamonds.Did damien hirst use real animals?
Yes, Damien Hirst has used real animals in his artwork. He commissioned a fisherman to kill a shark for his piece, and he has also used real butterflies in his butterfly paintings.How did damien hirst get the shark?
Damien Hirst commissioned a fisherman in Queensland, Australia, to kill a shark for his artwork. He requested one that was 'big enough to eat you'. The original shark cost £6,000, but it was replaced in 2006 due to deterioration.How did damien hirst make his money?
Damien Hirst made his money through his art sales, aided by dealers such as Jay Jopling. His market-orientated worldview and the recognition his art brought him also contributed to his financial success.Is damien hirst still alive?
Yes, Damien Hirst is still alive (born 1965).Is damien hirst the richest artist?
According to his biography, Damien Hirst became the richest living artist in Britain. However, the provided passages do not contain information to confirm if he still holds that title.What is damien hirst best known for?
Damien Hirst is best known for making powerful statements about death, decay, and impermanence in his artwork. One of his most well-known pieces is a platinum cast of a human skull encrusted with 8,601 diamonds, titled For the Love of God.When was damien hirst born?
Damien Hirst was born in 1965 in United Kingdom.Where can i see damien hirst art?
Damien Hirst's works can be seen at Prints in the National Gallery of Art[5], National Gallery of Art, Tate, and 2 other museums worldwide.Why is damien hirst famous?
Damien Hirst is famous for his art that makes powerful statements about death, decay, and impermanence. He is also known for organising the Freeze exhibition in 1988, which launched the YBA movement and created a public sensation.Why is damien hirst's work controversial?
Damien Hirst's work is controversial because it deals with themes of death, decay, and impermanence. He is often accused of being a publicity hound, which adds to the controversy surrounding his art.Where's damien hirst from?
Damien Hirst was United Kingdom, born in 1965.
Sources
Editorial draws on the following primary and tertiary references for Damien Hirst.
- [1] museum San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Used for: museum holdings.
- [2] museum White Cube Used for: museum holdings.
- [3] museum Government Art Collection Used for: museum holdings.
- [4] museum National Galleries Scotland Used for: museum holdings.
- [5] museum National Gallery of Art Used for: museum holdings.
- [6] museum British Council Used for: museum holdings.
- [7] book Susie Hodge, ArtQuake: The Most Disruptive Works in Modern Art Used for: biography.
- [8] book Beard, Lee, 1973- author, Butler, Adam, author; Van Cleave, Claire, author; Fortenberry, Diane, author; Stirling, Susan, author, Beard, Lee, 1973- author, Butler, Adam, author; Van Cleave, Claire, author; Fortenberry, Diane, author; Stirling, Susan, author - The Art Book_ New Edition, Mini Format Used for: biography.
- [9] book Penelope J.E. Davies, Walter B. Denny, Frima Fox Hofrichter, Joseph Jacobs, Ann S. Roberts, David L. Simon, Janson's History of Art_ The Western Tradition (8th Edition) Used for: biography.
Editorial overseen by Solis Prints. Sources verified 2026-05-31. Click a source for details, or hover over [N] in the page above to preview.
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