Was Damien Hirst’s diamond-encrusted skull a work of genius from one of
Britain’s most talented artists? Or a tacky symbol of excess and an art
market “drunk with money”, as one critic put it?
Now the public
can decide for itself as the skull, titled For The Love of God, is to go on
public display in Britain for the first time. It will be exhibited in Tate
Modern’s Turbine Hall from April 4 - June 24 2012 to accompany a major
retrospective of the artist’s work.
can decide for itself as the skull, titled For The Love of God, is to go on
public display in Britain for the first time. It will be exhibited in Tate
Modern’s Turbine Hall from April 4 - June 24 2012 to accompany a major
retrospective of the artist’s work.
The skull will be housed in a special viewing room amid tight security.
Cast
in platinum - but retaining the original teeth of the 18th century skull’s
owner - and covered in 8,601 diamonds, it has a 52.4 carat pink diamond on
its forehead.
in platinum - but retaining the original teeth of the 18th century skull’s
owner - and covered in 8,601 diamonds, it has a 52.4 carat pink diamond on
its forehead.
When Hirst unveiled the work in 2007, it carried a price tag
of £50 million.
of £50 million.
It was bought for an undisclosed sum by a mystery
“consortium of businessmen” that turned out to include Hirst himself.
“consortium of businessmen” that turned out to include Hirst himself.
