Damien Hirst – Civilisation

3 min read  ·  07 Aug 2024

Civilisation

HENI is delighted to present Civilisation by Damien Hirst, four unique prints after his latest series The Civilisation Paintings which explore the necessity of hope despite the complexities and challenges of contemporary civilisation.

The artworks are Giclée prints on Cotton Smooth Rag, each measuring 143 x 112 cm (framed) with four framing options available. Each artwork is hand-signed and numbered on the front.

The number of editions will be limited by demand during the drop window, which lasts from 7 August until 17:00 BST on 19 August.

To coincide with the drop, HENI presents an exhibition of The Civilisation Paintings and editions at Phillips, London. The exhibition, curated by Connor Hirst, is open until 2 September 2024.

About Civilisation

Civilisation by Damien Hirst is a series of four unique prints after his latest series of The Civilisation Paintings which explore the necessity of hope despite the complexities and challenges of contemporary civilisation. In each work, the artist depicts memories or feelings of cities: evoking the exuberant series The Secret Gardens Paintings – metropolitan areas are set amongst thriving vegetation, forming bright, imagined landscapes.

Realistic elements are contrasted with other elements such as Pointillist techniques and thrown paint. Evoking the themes of chaos and hope at the heart of the series, the artist favours the latter practice for its lack of control, embodying his maxim ‘You just have to believe’. Hirst also overlays the compositions with coloured spots arranged in grids, made using the tops of his paint tubes. These formations, immediately recalling his Spot Paintings, are implemented to evoke the sense of the ordered and engineered elements of cities, which randomly decay and are replaced.

Four framing options

The artworks are Giclée prints on Cotton Smooth Rag, each measuring 143 x 112 cm (framed) with four framing options available: Oak veneer, Gold effect aluminium, Black aluminium and White aluminium. You are able to select your preferred frame during checkout.

On view at Phillips London and HENI Gallery

To coincide with the drop, HENI presents an exhibition of The Civilisation Paintings and editions at Phillips, London. The exhibition, curated by Connor Hirst, is open until 2 September 2024.

Phillips London
Damien Hirst: The Civilisation Paintings
Exhibition dates: Monday 5 August – Monday 2 September 2024
Opening hours: Monday – Saturday, 10am – 6pm and Sunday 12pm – 6pm
Location: Phillips, 30 Berkeley Square, London, W1J 6EX

All of the editions are on display at the HENI Gallery for the duration of the drop. Admission to the gallery is free.

HENI Gallery
Opening hours: Open Monday to Friday, 10am - 6pm
Location: 6-10 Lexington St, London W1F 0LB

The Civilisation Paintings on HENI Primary

At the same time, HENI Primary releases The Civilisation Paintings by Damien Hirst. The paintings are available by application now. The paintings are oil on canvas and each artwork is signed and titled by Damien Hirst in oil paint on the verso. The paintings come in two sizes, 16 of the paintings measure 274.3 x 213.4 cm, and 16 measure 198.1 x 152.4 cm.

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