Damien Hirst – Artwork & Bio of the British Installation Artist

Damien Hirst is a British conceptual artist born on 7 June 1965 in Bristol, England. As a child, Hirst struggled with school but excelled in art, leading to his decision to pursue art at the university. From 1986 to 1989, Damien studied art at Goldsmiths University of London and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree.

Hirst’s success as an artist peaked in 1991 when the owner of the then-largest advertising firm became his patron. After their relationship ended in 2003, Hirst managed to maintain his status and international recognition through the audience-satisfying exhibitions of his artworks. Hirst is still actively involved in the art world and exhibits at the Newport Street Gallery he established in 2015.

What is Damien Hirst Known For?

Damien Hirst is known for making artwork out of unconventional materials and cadavers. Early in his art career, Hirst recognized the need to court the audience’s attention and channeled his art toward that goal. Since he exhibited his first artwork – a picture of him with a severed head from the morgue – Hirst’s work has mainly contained animal corpses and remains.

Who was Damien Hirst Influenced By?

Damien’s work experience as a student influenced the theme of his artworks. While studying at Goldsmiths, the active Damien worked part-time in a mortuary in Leeds during his summer breaks. Since then, cadavers and animal corpses have become the primary subject matter of his artworks.

What Art Movement is Damien Hirst Associated With?

Damien Hirst is associated with the Installation art movement. Hirst displayed his art in several mediums, preserving the corpses of dead animals and displaying them in huge cases in galleries.