Damien Hirst Artworks Dated To 1990s Discovered To Be Produced In 2017
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Damien Hirst, the British artist known for his bold contemporary art experiments, has landed himself in a spotty predicament that isn’t about the usual themes of life, death, and beyond, but the dates of creation for three of his animal sculptures preserved in formaldehyde.
An investigation by The Guardian reveals three sculptures—a dove, dissected calves, and a shark—presented as part of his 1990s works, were actually created much later, in 2017.
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These works, titled Cain and Abel (1994), Dove (1999), and Myth Explored, Explained, Exploded (1993-1999), were showcased at prestigious galleries worldwide, including Hong Kong, New York, and London, all under the impression of being from Hirst’s early, Turner Prize-winning era.
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However, the media outlet’s probe exposes a fishy tale. Not only were the sculptures demonstrably new (less than a year old when first exhibited), but sources familiar with the works reaffirmed their 2017 origin at a workshop in Gloucestershire.
Hirst’s company, Science Ltd, has defended the dating system, claiming it reflects the “conception” of the idea, rather than the physical creation. This explanation, however, is at odds with industry norms where artwork dates typically signify the year of production, not the initial spark of inspiration.
The confusion deepens with allegations, denied by the artist, that the works were intentionally aged to appear older. The Guardian cites findings suggesting that Hirst’s company instructed employees to create an illusion of wear and tear, further blurring the lines of authenticity.
While Hirst’s lawyers have acknowledged distressing the works as part of the “artistic process,” they vehemently deny any attempt to misrepresent their age.
[via The Guardian and The Telegraph, images via various sources]
