Damien Hirst Trades Dead Animals for Paint

Published by PETA.

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Damien Hirst

 

British artist Damien Hirst—known for his series of “art” installations featuring dead (and yes, sometimes dissected) animals preserved in formaldehyde—has reportedly hung up his canning supplies in favor of a paintbrush.

Apparently Hirst has spent the last three years painting in a shed behind his house. He says he had to relearn to paint for the first time since he was an art student, and the paintings were, at first, “embarrassing,” and he “didn’t want anyone to come in.”

It looks like reconnecting with art in its pure form, instead of focusing on shock art that exploits animals and treats their bodies as amusements, has made Damien rethink the direction his career has taken. You’ve got to wonder why the man wasn’t as embarrassed by his past work …

Here’s hoping that Damien will stick to this new oeuvre.

 

Do you think Damien will actually stick with animal-friendly art?(online surveys)

 

Written by Amanda Schinke

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 Ingrid E. Newkirk

“Almost all of us grew up eating meat, wearing leather, and going to circuses and zoos. We never considered the impact of these actions on the animals involved. For whatever reason, you are now asking the question: Why should animals have rights?” READ MORE

— Ingrid E. Newkirk, PETA President and co-author of Animalkind