Damien Hirst unveils his vibrant The Civilisation Paintings series at Phillips’ Gallery in London. The exhibition is set to run from August 5 to September 2, 2024.
British artist Damien Hirst debuts his latest series, The Civilisation Paintings, at Phillips’ Gallery in London. Presented by HENI, this exhibition will feature 32 never-before-seen works. The show, curated by Connor Hirst, showcases the artist’s exploration of hope amidst the complexities of contemporary civilization.
The Civilisation Paintings series is divided into two sizes: sixteen pieces measure 274.3 x 213.4 cm, while the other sixteen measure 198.1 x 152.4 cm. These paintings embody Damien Hirst’s vibrant use of color, reflecting an optimistic outlook on the challenges faced by modern societies. Each piece evokes memories or feelings associated with urban life, reminiscent of his earlier series, The Secret Gardens Paintings, where metropolitan areas are transformed into lush, imagined landscapes.
Damien Hirst’s technique blends realism with more abstract elements, such as pointillism and thrown paint. This contrast highlights the themes of chaos and hope central to the series. The artist’s preference for thrown paint, a technique that embraces a lack of control, encapsulates his belief that “you just have to believe.” This method brings a dynamic, almost chaotic energy to the paintings, symbolizing the unpredictability of life in cities.
Adding to this complexity, Hirst incorporates colored spots arranged in grids, created using the tops of his paint tubes. These formations recall his famous Spot Paintings and serve to represent the ordered, engineered aspects of urban environments, which naturally decay and transform over time.
Damien Hirst has long been a pivotal figure in contemporary art. Since his early days at Goldsmiths School of Art, his work has continually pushed boundaries. Known primarily for his installations, paintings, sculptures, and drawings, Hirst’s art delves into themes such as beauty, religion, science, life, and death. He consistently revisits these foundational interests, reworking them into an innovative visual language that speaks to the complexities of the human condition.
In a recent photocall at Phillips’ Gallery, a gallery employee posed with several of Hirst’s new works, including Greatest Civilisation, Civilisation Cause, Civilisation’s Climax, and The Fall of Civilisation. These titles reflect the series’ overarching themes and Hirst’s contemplation of the rise and decline of societies.
The Civilisation Paintings exhibition marks a significant moment in Hirst’s career, offering viewers a chance to engage with his latest artistic expressions. The vibrant colors and imaginative landscapes invite visitors to reflect on the interplay between chaos and order, hope and despair, in the context of contemporary urban life.
As the exhibition opens, art enthusiasts and critics alike eagerly anticipate the impact of Hirst’s new works. The Civilisation Paintings promises to be a thought-provoking and visually stunning exploration of the complexities of modern civilization, affirming Damien Hirst’s place at the forefront of the contemporary art scene.
