Giant Cherry Blossoms: Damien Hirst’s Colorful World

Huge and Colorful Like Smarties: Damien Hirst has been working on the “Cherry Blossoms” series since 2018. Part of it can now be seen at the Fondation Cartier in Paris. The oversized plates, often in pairs or triplets, evoke associations with the spring cherry blossom season. However, vivid images closely resemble abstract paintings.

The British artist’s premiere exhibition in France will run until January 2, and for the first time he will also present his latest work from his 107-piece “Cherry Blossoms” series. The countless dense dots are reminiscent of Post-Impressionist Paul Seurat’s pointillism, and the energy with which they were applied to the movement painting style.

The 56-year-old appears to have distanced himself from his art as an important representative of the Young British Artists group. At the time, Hearst was best known for his provocative sculptures, such as the bodies of animals inlaid with formaldehyde or his diamond-encrusted human skull.

His previous series such as “Spot Paintings” and “Veil Paintings” already testify to his role in painting. He said he’s had a love affair with painting his whole life, even if he avoided it. As a young artist in the ’80s, drawing wasn’t really the right path for him.