Damien Hirst and His Butterflies: The Beauty of Transformation
British artist Damien Hirst is renowned for his thought-provoking and often polarising artworks. Among his most iconic motifs is his use of butterflies, which have appeared in various forms throughout his career. While some view his incorporation of these creatures as a profound exploration of life, death, and transformation, others find them to be simply a great celebration of the natural world.
“I think rather than be personal you have to find universal triggers: everyone’s frightened of glass, everyone’s frightened of sharks, everyone loves butterflies”
Hirst's fascination with butterflies can be traced back to his early works, notably his ‘In and Out of Love’ exhibition in 1991. This installation featured live butterflies fluttering within a gallery space, interacting with viewers and the environment. The juxtaposition of these ephemeral creatures against the sterile confines of the gallery provoked contemplation on the fragility of life and the passage of time.
‘In and Out of Love’ at White Cube
In subsequent pieces, such as his ‘Butterfly Paintings’ series, Hirst employed butterfly wings as a medium, arranging them in intricate patterns reminiscent of stained glass windows or mandalas. These visually stunning compositions evoke themes of beauty, mortality, and the cycle of life. By immortalising the butterflies in resin, Hirst freezes a moment in time, capturing both their ethereal beauty and inevitable decay.
‘Noble Path’ by Damien Hirst at White Cube
This theme was revisited in 2022 with the creation of his ‘Empress’ series which featured five laminated Giclee prints on aluminium composite, screen printed with glitter, with each print depicting images of red and black butterfly wings, arranged into a unique kaleidoscope-like pattern. The prints are named for five influential female rulers from history: Wu Zetian, Theodora, Nūr Jahān, Suiko and Taytu Betul. Their characters and stories are enhanced by the dominant red tone of the series, evoking life, war, power, anger, love, joy and luck.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Hirst's butterfly works is his attention to detail and craftsmanship. Each specimen is carefully preserved and arranged, ensuring that its natural beauty is preserved for eternity. By immortalising butterflies in resin, Hirst allows us to marvel at their intricate patterns and vibrant colours long after their brief lives have ended. In doing so, he invites us to pause and reflect on the fleeting moments of beauty that surround us, urging us to cherish the present and embrace the inevitability of change.
Through his masterful compositions and thought-provoking installations, Hirst invites us to embark on a journey of discovery and contemplation, where the ephemeral beauty of butterflies serves as a powerful reminder of life's inherent wonder. In celebrating the beauty of transformation, Hirst's butterfly works inspire us to embrace change and cherish the present.
Take a closer look at each work from the ‘Empress’ series:
