The Virtues, H9-4 Politeness

About This Work

Damien Hirst's 2021 work "The Virtues, H9-4 Politeness" is a striking example that exemplifies his continued interest in the convergence of art, science, and the metaphysical. This piece, executed as a laminated Giclée print on an aluminium composite panel, measures 120 x 96 cm, and showcases Hirst's mastery over both traditional and contemporary media. His exploration of mortality, a persistent theme across his oeuvre, is palpable in the subtle yet profound fabrication of this print. Though known for his provocative sculptures such as the iconic 'The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living', and his 'Spot Paintings' which challenge perceptions of art through painstaking precision, Hirst's "The Virtues, H9-4 Politeness" brings forward another facet of his multifaceted practice. The use of aluminium composite as a substrate for the laminated Giclée print not only emphasizes the industrial elements that have surfaced in much of his work but also speaks to the idea of endurance and temporality. The permanence suggested by the aluminium contrasts vividly with the temporal nature of politeness as a virtue, layering Hirst's work with philosophical undertones. Hirst's engagement with the aesthetic and thematic elements in this series draws on his interest in the ephemeral versus the eternal — a dialog he has long sustained within his diverse body of work. "The Virtues, H9-4 Politeness" is thus both an extension and a departure from his earlier ventures, embodying a refined synthesis of elements from the artist’s previous explorations of life, death, and the socio-cultural mechanisms that intercede between them. Within the Zebra One Gallery collection, "The Virtues, H9-4 Politeness" stands as a testament to the gallery's commitment to presenting work that challenges and expands the boundaries of contemporary art, aligning with Hirst's reputation as a provocative and transformative figure in British art.

About the Artist

Damien Hirst was born in 1965 in Bristol and grew up in Leeds. In 1984 he moved to London, where he worked in construction before studying for a BA in Fine Art at Goldsmiths college from 1986 to 1989. He was awarded the Turner Prize in 1995. Since the late 1980’s, Hirst has used a varied practise of...

Zebra One Gallery

Contemporary Art • Hampstead, London

Established 1976 • 50 years of excellence in contemporary art • Professional authentication and provenance research