No, I dont believe in genius. I believe in freedom. I think anyone can do it. Anyone can be like Rembrandt. – 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
The difference between art about death and actual death is that ones a celebration and the others a dull fact. – Damien Hirst
None of us had any idea of how successful Downton was going to be. I thought I was signing up for another period drama that had a slightly modern feel. It had a freedom about it because it was coming out of the head of Julian Fellowes. Anything could happen and generally did. – Dan Stevens