The Evolution of Damien Hirst's Spin Paintings
Damien Hirst first introduced his spin paintings in the early 1990s, a period marked by experimentation and a departure from traditional artistic techniques. The concept behind spin paintings is as intriguing as the finished product. Hirst employs a rotating machine to create these unique masterpieces, allowing gravity, centrifugal force, and chance to become collaborators in the artistic process. Damien Hirst first discovered his spin paintings when he was nine years old.
“Every time I finish one, I’m desperate to do another”
With auction records of these original paintings often smashing their estimates of $350,000 and upwards, it is no surprise famous faces such as the late David Bowie have been buyers, collaborating on a spin painting in 1995.
The spin painting process involves placing a canvas on a rotating platform. Hirst then applies paint to the canvas, either through pouring, dripping, or spraying. As the canvas spins, the forces at play dictate the movement of the paint, creating intricate and unpredictable patterns. The result is a harmonious dance of colours and shapes that come together to form a visually stimulating composition.
In 2023, Hirst announce a new variant of his iconic spin paintings. The new series allowed collectors to choose their own colours and effects online and using Artificial intelligence, Hirst has created a system that can create its own colours, designs and names, whilst still being original within its series. Generative and machine learning algorithms replace Hirst’s mechanical tools but preserve the series’ long-standing aesthetic of chance and randomness.
'Beautiful, Quite Harmonious Vapor Painting'
2023
Giclee print on poly-cotton artist canvas mounted on birch plywood stretcher
100 cm diameter (X-Large)
Signed by the artist
Unique within an edition of 1463
The edition size is based on the numbers sold in the purchase period, meaning that the spin paintings are of limited edition but are also random in their number. The Beautiful Paintings dashboard features 25 different artwork styles to choose from. The wide variety of styles shows the unexpected movements, paint splatters, and colour interactions of his traditional ‘Spin Paintings’, but also explores new directions that build on his previous body of work.
'Beautiful, Too Noble'
2023
Giclee print on poly-cotton artist canvas mounted on birch plywood stretcher
100 cm diameter (X-Large)
Signed by the artist
Unique within an edition of 1463
View more works by Damien Hirst and other contemporary artists at Extraordinary Objects Gallery