Damien Hirst quotes

People don't like contemporary art, but all art starts life as contemporary - I can't really see a difference.

Great art - or good art - is when you look at it, experience it and it stays in your mind. I don't think conceptual art and traditional art are all that different.

I was taught to confront things you can't avoid. Death is one of those things. To live in a society where you're trying not to look at it is stupid because looking at death throws us back into life with more vigour and energy. The fact that flowers don't last for ever makes them beautiful.

The difference between art about death and actual death is that one's a celebration and the other's a dull fact.

I was taught to confront things you can't avoid. Death is one of those things. To live in a society where you're trying not to look at it is stupid because looking at death throws us back into life with more vigour and energy. The fact that flowers don't last for ever makes them beautiful.

It's amazing what you can do with an E in A-Level art, a twisted imagination and a chainsaw.

In an artwork you're always looking for artistic decisions, so an ashtray is perfect. An ashtray has got life and death.

It's amazing what you can do with an E in A-Level art, a twisted imagination and a chainsaw.

Great art - or good art - is when you look at it, experience it and it stays in your mind. I don't think conceptual art and traditional art are all that different.

Great art - or good art - is when you look at it, experience it and it stays in your mind. I don't think conceptual art and traditional art are all that different.