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Damien Hirst retrospective: Sharks, bugs and plastic skulls at the Tate

A number of Damien Hirst’s most famous works have gone on display at the Tate Modern- including a Tiger shark preserved in formaldehyde entitled ‘The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone’.

The 14ft shark, sold in 2004 for a figure thought to be close to £5million, is joined with other works that have made Hirst one of the best-known artists in the world. At a net worth of £215million, he is also one of the world’s richest in his field.


Bristol-born Hirst came to the forefront of British art after creating a number of daring sculptures in the early 1990s.After his mammoth Tiger shark – created in 1991 – he produced ‘Mother and Child Divided’, a four- part sculpture of a bisected cow and calf.  The piece was presented in a similar way to the shark - encased in a vitrine and preserved in formaldehyde.


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Continuing this theme, Hirst then created the gruesome series ‘A Thousand Years’, which comprised of a severed cow head being fed on by flies and maggots. These works, along with paintings made throughout Hirst’s long career, feature in the exhibition.

“We have been planning this show for so long I can't believe it's finally happening,” said Damien Hirst.



“I think I was avoiding looking back but now I've done it it's exciting. It’s nearly 25 years of my life. There is something for everyone and I’m glad people will get the opportunity to see my work and judge for themselves.”

Last week saw a scribbled doodle by Hirst- created as a tip for a taxi driver- sell at auction for £4,500, more than 10 times its estimated price.