How did Damian Hirst develop his art career?

Damian Hirst became commercially successful as an artist through his use of shock and controversy, his ability to tap into popular culture and consumerism, and his savvy marketing and branding strategies. Our view:

Damian Hirst is a British artist who became commercially successful in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. He rose to fame as part of the Young British Artists (YBA) movement, which emerged in the UK in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Hirst's early work, which often dealt with themes of death and the human body, was characterized by its shock value and its use of unconventional materials, such as formaldehyde-preserved animals.

Hirst's first major solo show, "Freeze," which was held in London in 1988, helped to establish him as one of the leading figures of the YBA movement. He subsequently gained widespread attention for a number of high-profile exhibitions and projects, including "The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living" (1991), a sculpture of a shark suspended in formaldehyde, and "For the Love of God" (2007), a diamond-encrusted skull.

Hirst's work has consistently generated significant media coverage, which has helped to boost his profile and attract buyers.

Like Andy Warhol, his use of popular culture and commercial techniques like mass production, branding, and market strategies have been key to his commercial success. His works have sold for millions of dollars at auction, and he has been represented by some of the most prestigious galleries in the world.

Overall, Hirst's ability to generate controversy and media attention, as well as his use of popular culture and commercial techniques, has helped to establish him as one of the most successful and high-profile artists of his generation.

 7 steps Damian Hirst took to become a successful artist

1.     Establishing himself as part of a group: Hirst was one of the leading figures of the Young British Artists (YBA) movement, which emerged in the UK in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Being part of this group helped to establish him as a significant artist and generated significant media attention for him and his work.

2.     Creating controversial and attention-grabbing work: Hirst's early work often dealt with themes of death and the human body, and was characterized by its shock value and use of unconventional materials, such as formaldehyde-preserved animals. This helped to generate significant media attention and establish him as a leading figure in the contemporary art world.

3.     Holding a solo exhibition: Hirst's first major solo show, "Freeze," which was held in London in 1988, helped to establish him as one of the leading figures of the YBA movement and drew significant attention to his work.

4.     Gaining critical recognition: Hirst's work was widely exhibited and reviewed by critics, which helped to establish his reputation and attract buyers.

5.     Using mass production and branding techniques: Hirst's use of popular culture and commercial techniques like mass production, branding, and market strategies have been key to his commercial success.

6.     Representation by prestigious galleries: Hirst has been represented by some of the most prestigious galleries in the world which helped to establish his reputation and attract buyers.

7.     Consistently generating controversy and media attention: His work consistently generated significant media coverage which helped to boost his profile and attract buyers.

These steps helped Hirst establish himself as a successful artist and gain the recognition of the art world, as well as the public at large.

Artists: A question for you

What is one ‘take-away’ from Damian Hirst’s career that you could apply to your own art career?