Damien Hirst: the civilisation paintings

Abstract

Turner Prize-winning British artist Damien Hirst (born 1965) has long been known for audacious formal experiments, but in the striking catalog The Civilisation Paintings, Hirst offers Impressionist-inspired oil paintings that vividly capture the complexities of modern urban landscapes. Vibrant trees and flowers weave through the scenes, serving as poignant reminders of nature's resilience amid human development. Realistic elements are contrasted with pointillist techniques and thrown paint. Hirst also overlays the compositions with colored spots arranged in grids, recalling his spot paintings. Hirst infuses the series with deep emotion, compellingly contrasted by his use of AI tools, showcasing his ongoing fascination with science and technology. This beautifully designed catalog features 54 full-color reproductions of the complete series, both in its entirety and in its detail, and includes a foreword by art historian Norman Rosenthal and an in-depth interview with Hirst by journalist and author James Fox.