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Damien Hirst

Butterfly Heart (Small)

Butterfly Rainbow (Large)

Butterfly Rainbow (Small)

Butterfly Heart (Large)

In the spring of 2020 at a time of great fear, isolation and devastation, Damien Hirst released ‘Rainbow Editions’ (H7), a hopeful series of rainbow butterfly prints. A charity fundraiser in support of the COVID-19 response effort, ‘Rainbow Editions’ fuses Hirst’s iconic butterfly motif with the rainbow, what became in Britain a symbol for peace, support of the NHS and collective strength.

‘Rainbow Editions’ was launched in support of the British NHS Charities Together and The Felix Project organisations, donating 100% of the profits. During the one-week application period in which edition size was limited to demand, the public could purchase a ‘Butterfly Rainbow’ in support of the British NHS Charities Together or a ‘Butterfly Heart’ to donate to The Felix Project. 

‘Rainbow Editions’ comprises four editions, two rainbow-shaped (‘Butterfly Rainbow’) and two heart-shaped (‘Butterfly Heart’), in which the coloured bands are occupied by correspondingly coloured images of butterfly wings. An iconic Hirstian motif, the images of wings come alive thanks to the print medium: laminated Giclée print on aluminium composite panels. In exceptional detail, these prints capture both the beauty of these wings in their every detail as well as their profound delicacy. A timeless symbol of life and death, butterflies are incorporated into ‘Rainbow Editions’ both as joyful celebrations of life and poignant reflections on human mortality.

The shapes and the rainbow-coloured striped designs of ‘Rainbow Editions’ echo the cheerful rainbows and hearts that became synonymous with the British response to COVID-19. Displayed in windows and chalk drawn on streets across the country in support of the NHS, even years later these shapes and designs evoke emotional responses from the British public, transporting them back to these uncertain times. 

In response to this true community initiative, during the release of ‘Rainbow Editions’, posters of the ‘Butterfly Rainbow’ and ‘Butterfly Heart’ prints could be downloaded from London’s Evening Standard newspaper website for people to show their support of the NHS and the Food for London Now campaign. 

At the close of the application period in May 2020, ‘Rainbow Editions’ raised a stunning total of over £3 million for the two charities. A limited edition totalling to 9,255 prints purchased, Hirst gifted additional prints at his own cost to schools, hospitals, nursing homes and other worthy causes and individuals across Britain. 

Rainbow Editions

In the spring of 2020 at a time of great fear, isolation and devastation, Damien Hirst released ‘Rainbow Editions’ (H7), a hopeful series of rainbow butterfly prints. A charity fundraiser in support of the COVID-19 response effort, ‘Rainbow Editions’ fuses Hirst’s iconic butterfly motif with the rainbow, what became in Britain a symbol for peace, support of the NHS and collective strength.