Damien Hirst (born 1965) is a British artist best known for work that explores death, belief, and the systems we use to make sense of life. Raised in Leeds, he studied at Goldsmiths in London and came to prominence as a leading figure of the Young British Artists after organising the 1988 student show Freeze. He won the Turner Prize in 1995.
Hirst’s most recognisable works include animals preserved in formaldehyde, most famously the shark in The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living (1991), alongside spot paintings, medicine-cabinet pieces, butterfly works, and the diamond-studded skull For the Love of God (2007). He has also created large-scale installations and curated exhibitions.
A major force in the art market, Hirst made headlines with his direct sale at Sotheby’s in 2008, and he later opened Newport Street Gallery in London to show works from his collection. His practice has often sparked debate, whether over authorship, ethics, or spectacle, but he remains a central figure in contemporary art. Hirst lives and works in the UK and continues to produce paintings, sculptures, and projects that test the boundaries between art, science, faith, and commerce.