The Empresses Damien Hirst

Street Pop Art and the Legacy of The Empresses

'The Empresses' (H-10, 2022) signifies a fresh evolution in Damien Hirst's artistic journey with the butterfly, symbolizing freedom, spirituality, life, and mortality. This set of five Giclée prints, laminated on aluminum composite and adorned with glitter screen printing, showcases red and black butterfly wings organized in distinct kaleidoscopic designs. The wings seem to be in motion, with each print capturing the butterflies during various stages of flight. They are named after five historically significant female leaders - Wu Zetian, Theodora, Nūr Jahān, Suiko, and Taytu Betul - the prints also pay homage to the Empress butterflies. The prominent red hue signifies life, war, power, anger, love, joy, and fortune, adding layers to the rulers' legacies. Butterflies have been a recurring motif in Hirst's work since the beginning of his career. Inspired by an unexpected encounter in his studio and intricate Victorian tea tray patterns, Hirst elaborates on the themes initiated in his 'Kaleidoscope Paintings' series (started in 2001) with 'The Empresses.' By portraying these historical women, the prints delve deeper into the association between butterflies and ideas of majesty, female empowerment, and national development. These prints display symmetric, asymmetric, and spiraling butterfly arrangements that evoke a sense of hope and vitality as if the insects were in flight. Using laminated Giclée prints on aluminum composite allows for exceptional detail in the butterfly wings, imbuing them with lifelike and dynamic energy, further enhanced by the light-reflective surfaces. Glitter frames the stunning wing images, adding vibrancy and tactile appeal reminiscent of childhood play and moments of pure delight. Hirst has employed this medium in previous paintings and prints. The lively glitter backdrop lends vitality to the motionless wings, which are solidified within each print's intricate geometric design. Available in limited edition, based on demand during a one-week application period, 'The Empresses' not only introduces a new take on Hirst's emblematic butterfly theme but also heralds the HENI Editions NFT Deed. This digital innovation allows for a three-year delay in receiving the physical prints, showcasing a modern twist on the traditional art market. In the vibrant spectrum of modern Street Pop Art and Graffiti Artwork, Damien Hirst's 'The Empresses' stands out as a significant leap in his enduring fascination with butterfly motifs. In this 2022 series, the British artist offers a set of five Giclée prints that marry the ethereal beauty of butterflies with the rich histories of formidable female leaders. Each piece, laminated on aluminum composite and enlivened with glitter screen printing, portrays a kaleidoscopic arrangement of red and black butterfly wings, signifying various profound themes such as freedom, spirituality, life, and the inevitability of mortality.

Damien Hirst: The Artist and the Artistic Evolution

Damien Hirst, born in Bristol, England 1965, has not shied away from experimenting with different mediums and motifs throughout his career. His work often explores the complex relationship between art, life, and death, with butterflies becoming a central, recurring element. The Empresses series is a natural progression from his 'Kaleidoscope Paintings,' which began in 2001. This new collection, however, delves deeper into the narrative power of these insects, casting them as emblems of both majesty and metamorphosis. 'The Empresses' collection is a tribute to the beauty of butterflies and their symbolic association with significant historical figures such as Wu Zetian, Theodora, Nūr Jahān, Suiko, and Taytu Betul. Each print captures the butterflies in different stages of flight, creating a dynamic sense of movement. The prominent use of red is a deliberate choice by Hirst, tapping into its multifaceted meanings that range from life and love to war and power. This color choice reflects the dual nature of the empresses' reigns, marked by creation and conflict. The intricate designs of the prints, featuring symmetric and asymmetric patterns as well as spirals, echo the cycles of life the butterflies symbolize. Hirst's laminated Giclée prints on aluminum composite allow for stunning clarity and detail in each wing, rendering them almost lifelike. The addition of glitter not only enhances the visual appeal but also injects a playful, vibrant energy into the artwork, reminiscent of the joy and innocence of childhood. An intriguing aspect of the 'The Empresses' series is its intersection with the digital art market. The introduction of the HENI Editions NFT Deed with this series marks a novel approach to the art collection, offering a blend of traditional ownership with the flexibility of digital innovation. Collectors can delay receiving their physical prints for up to three years, a feature that showcases Hirst's forward-thinking embrace of emerging technologies in the art world. The Empresses series by Damien Hirst is a remarkable convergence of Street Pop Art, historical reflection, and digital evolution. Through the lens of Hirst's vivid butterfly wings, viewers are invited to ponder the complexities of life, the power of leadership, and the relentless march of time. In doing so, Hirst continues to push the boundaries of contemporary art, ensuring that his work remains as thought-provoking as it is visually stunning.