Arts News
Damien Hirst diamond-studded skull sold for 50 million pounds
Aug 30, 2007, 18:02 GMT
A gallery handout picture supplied 06 June 2007 shows Damien Hirst\'s Diamond skull on display at the White Cube gallery in London 03 June 2007. EPA/WHITE CUBE
London - A diamond-encrusted skull artwork by British contemporary artist Damien Hirst has been sold for 50 million pounds (100 million dollars) to an investment group, a spokeswoman for the White Cube art gallery in London said Thursday.
The platinum skull, cast from an 18th century European man, is coated in 8,601 diamonds, including a large pink diamond in the centre of the forehead, alone worth more than four million pounds.
It was billed as the most expensive work by a living contemporary artist. No further details were revealed about the buyer.
The skull caused a sensation when it first went on display in a show of new works by Hirst in June, and was seen by many critics as a sign of a 'celebrity-obsessed culture.'
Hirst, a leading representative of the Brit-Art movement who made his name with dotted paintings and installations of diced and pickled animals, is already a multi-millionaire.
The latest sale brings to 174.4 million pounds the value of works sold from the Hirst exhibition, of which the artist receives 70 per cent.
Hirst has rejected suggestions that his works are primarily designed to poke fun at the 'art establishment.'
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-AgenturCOMMENT
blog comments powered by DisqusLatest Headlines in Arts
- 1. Guma Mbaho Mwine responds to rampant homophobia gripping Uganda with new works
- 2. What the Butler Saw Play Photocall Pictures
- 3. 66th Annual Tony Awards Meet the Nominees Pictures
- 4. 'Dark Corners: The Appalachian Ballad'—by Julyan Davis exhibited at Greenville County Museum of Art
- 5. South Downs Play at the Harold Pinter Theatre Pictures
Older Talkback
page: 1
This 'so called' artwork is art to a certain extent but it is more of an investment. As it said it must be displayed for 3 years it will then be put away and value over time... It won't be out there in the public to be viewed, as most artwork is. It is just one Big Investment worth millions!!!
Regardless of it's 'value' -- if some moronic investment firm is willing to pay 100 million dollars for shit-- then that's the art market my friends. Either get on the wagon or get off---- but don't sit there and bitch like a frustrated old lady-- jees---
page: 1
Simon HarrisonAug 30th, 2007 - 19:28:55
Just me or anybody else think Damian's stuff is self indulgent shite?
Never got it, his kind would say 'you don't understand art'
My kind would say ' your stuff's shite, go paint a proper picture..
Report this comment