In an artwork youre always looking for artistic decisions, so an ashtray is perfect. An ashtray has got life and death. – Damien Hirst
Since I was a child, death is definitely something that I think about every day. But I think that everybody does. You try and avoid it, but its such a big thing that you cant. – Damien Hirst
Great art – or good art – is when you look at it, experience it and it stays in your mind. I dont think conceptual art and traditional art are all that different. – Damien Hirst
I was taught to confront things you cant avoid. Death is one of those things. To live in a society where youre 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 dont last for ever makes them beautiful. – Damien Hirst