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Quotes by

Damien Hirst

I think I like big issues, but I dont believe in God or religion. – Damien Hirst

Ive been asked to do a retrospective since I was about 28 and I always thought that was a bit odd. Its great to look forward as an artist because in the future the possibilities are infinite you look back and its all fixed so its a scary thing. – Damien Hirst

No, I dont believe in genius. I believe in freedom. I think anyone can do it. Anyone can be like Rembrandt. – 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

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

The difference between art about death and actual death is that ones a celebration and the others a dull fact. – 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

I have always been aware that you have to get people listening before you can change their minds. Any artists big fear is being ignored, so if you get debate, thats great. – Damien Hirst

I always feel like the arts there and I just see it, so its not really a lot of work. – Damien Hirst

In an artwork youre always looking for artistic decisions, so an ashtray is perfect. An ashtray has got life and death. – Damien Hirst

Being best is a false goal, you have to measure success on your own terms. – Damien Hirst

The idea of going on tour for the rest of my life with old works is not that exciting. As an artist I definitely think the work in future is going to be better than the work in the past, otherwise why do it? – Damien Hirst