Achieved Record-Breaking Total Auction Price at Sotheby's

Born in Bristol, UK, Damien Hirst has been active as a contemporary artist since the 1980s. While studying at Goldsmiths College, he organized his own exhibition, "Freeze," showcasing works by himself and his fellow students. This exhibition garnered significant attention as a new art movement in the British art scene.

Hirst's unconventional artworks, which explore the themes of life and death, are highly acclaimed worldwide. At Sotheby's auction house, a total of 223 of his works have been sold, achieving a cumulative hammer price of approximately 21.1 billion yen (as of 2008). This surpasses Pablo Picasso's record for a single artist's total auction price, solidifying Hirst's position as one of the most influential contemporary artists today.



This exhibition is said to be the largest retrospective of Damien Hirst's work to date, offering a comprehensive look at his 25-year career. It features a collection of his representative pieces, including the "Natural History" series of animals preserved in formaldehyde, pharmaceutical installations, dot paintings, and the diamond-encrusted skull "For the Love of God" (2007). Also noteworthy is "Leviathan" (2006-2013), a 10-meter glass case containing a 76-ton, 6.8-meter whale shark preserved in formaldehyde. Hirst's power lies in overwhelming viewers with the sheer scale of his works, often using real animals.


Through his art, Damien Hirst probes questions of art, love, life, and death. He stated, "'Death' is always alongside life, and our bodies decay daily. Yet, humans continue to place unwavering trust in medicine and pharmaceuticals. I have a deep obsession with 'death.' Not in a morbid sense, but I believe 'death' is a celebration of life."

"Relics"

Venue | ALRIWAQ DOHA Exhibition Space

Dates | September 28, 2013 (Saturday) - January 26, 2014 (Sunday)

Opening Hours | 10:00-17:30 (Sun, Mon, Wed), 12:00-20:00 (Thu, Sat), 14:00-20:00 (Fri)

*Closed on Tuesdays.

Admission | Free

Address | Corniche, 2777 Ad Dawha, Ad Hawhah, Qatar

Tel. +974 4402 4849