Damien Hirst (b. 1965), once the enfant terrible of the so-called Young British Artists, is one of the most controversial—and certainly the most famous—artists of his generation. His work, which includes installation, painting, sculpture, and drawing, challenges the boundaries between art, science, and popular culture. Published to accompany the major retrospective of Hirst’s work at Tate Modern in summer 2012, this book surveys 25 years of the artist’s practice, from sharks in formaldehyde to spot paintings to medicine cabinets to diamond-encrusted skulls, making a major contribution to our understanding and appreciation of one of the most significant artists of our time. With contributions by a team of curators and critics, this superbly illustrated survey is a fitting tribute to Hirst’s headline-making achievements.
Ann Gallagher is head of collections (British Art) at Tate and the editor of Susan Hiller.