DAMIEN HIRST

(B. 1965)

Beautiful Atlacoya Introspection Painting
2008

Footnotes

Provenance
White Cube, London (JJ33384)
Private Collection, Turkey
Acquired directly from the above by the present owner in 2018



Monumental in scale Beautiful Atlacoya Introspection Painting captivates the viewer with its vibrant palette and frantic energy. Adorned with Damien Hirst's distinctive depiction of the skull, the painting serves as a symbolic representation of human corporeality juxtaposed against the backdrop of metaphysical ontological perspectives. In stark contrast to the outward joviality of the colours, the work evokes a sombre ambiance, hinting at elements of obscurity and darkness. Hirst's ascendancy as one of the most foremost artists of our time is firmly anchored in his unceasing exploration of profound existential themes, most notably the dichotomy of life and death. His iconic masterpieces, exemplified by the diamond encrusted skull entitled For the Love of God and the present work, have exerted an inescapable fascination on audiences around the world.

Gazing upon the present work, Hirst's famous technique is immediately apparent through the distinct marks and patterns forged by the muti-coloured paint. Glossy acrylic household paint is poured from a height onto a huge canvas mounted to a rotating spin machine. As the canvas spins, the paint is flung outward by centrifugal force, resulting in colours and a visual aesthetic reminiscent of celestial explosions. Hirst embraces chance and spontaneity in this process. The outcome of each Spin Painting is influenced by the physics of the spinning canvas making each artwork completely unique. This departure from traditional methods of painting challenges the artist's control over the final result. Hirst comments on this simple but satisfying process: 'I really like making them. And I really like the machine, and I really like the movement. Every time they're finished, I'm desperate to do another one' (the artist in: Damien Hirst and Gordon Burn, On the Way to Work, London, 2001, p. 221).

While the technique is innovative, the Spin Paintings including Beautiful Atlacoya Introspection Painting also pay homage to the Abstract Expressionist movement, particularly the action painting of artists like Jackson Pollock. Additionally, Damien Hirst's production of paintings bears similarity to Andy Warhol and his famous studio known as 'The Factory' in terms of their approach to art production and commercialisation. In Warhol's Factory, he employed a team of assistants who helped him create his iconic works, similarly, Hirst's Spin Paintings involve a mechanicalized process emphasising the role of machinery in producing art. Both artists challenged traditional notions of art production and consumption. They elevated the role of the artist as a conceptual thinker and entrepreneur, pushing the boundaries of what art could be and how it can be produced in a rapidly changing world.

In 1992, Damien Hirst's artistic trajectory experienced a significant shift, following his inclusion in the Turner Prize shortlist and his participation in Charles Saatchi's influential Young British Artists exhibition. It was during this pivotal juncture that Hirst embarked on his inaugural foray into the realm of Spin Paintings. The following year, Hirst collaborated with fellow artist Angus Fairhurst, and together they established a stall at the artist-driven street fair known as a fete worse than death. It was this creative partnership that sparked the Spin aesthetic.

Much like its counterparts in the series, Beautiful Atlacoya Introspection Painting boasts a distinctly elongated title that commences in 'Beautiful' and culminates with 'Painting'. In his pursuit of a more accessible approach to painting, Damien Hirst drew inspiration from a 1970's episode of Blue Peter, a beloved UK children's television program he fondly recalled watching during his formative years in Leeds. As a nine-year-old he watched host John Noakes drop paint onto a piece of paper which was then inserted into a motorised cardboard spinning machine, as the machine turned it produced a mesmerising tapestry of intricate patterns and colours. This influence became evident in his creation of the Spin Paintings. Made in 2008, an exciting and progressive year in the artist's career, the present work is an extraordinary example from a renowned series. The Spin Paintings series has garnered acclaim for its pioneering technique, accessibility and its capacity to perpetually evolve and stimulate contemplation.

With works residing in museums and collections such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; Tate Gallery, London; Museum of Modern Art, New York and Hirshhorn Museum and sculpture garden in Washington D.C., Damien Hirst has emerged as a pre-eminent figure among the influential British artists of his generation. His prolific output is diverse, spanning a wide spectrum of mediums and artistic methodologies. While a fascination with mortality frequently pervades his work, his spin paintings serve as compelling illustrations of the artist's contemplations on life, technology, and transcendental aspects of picture-making. Hirst's oeuvre invites viewers to embark on a profound journey of self-reflection, encouraging them to reevaluate their own existence within the context of the encompassing environment that surrounds them.