Homo Florienses. A new and diminutive species of human being has been discovered
2004-2005
Oil on canvas
274.3 x 350.5 cm (108 x 138 in.)
Damien Hirst’s oil on canvas Homo Florienses. A New and Diminutive Species of Human Being Has Been Discovered, which is in the Pinault Collection, features two skulls, including one of Homo Florienses, recently discovered by palaeontologists. Through these symbols of death, the artist continues his provocative exploration of human existence.
Since the 1980s, Hirst has been exploring the relationship between science and art. Unique in the artist's approach, this large canvas was first exhibited in New York in 2005 and is accompanied by representations of the war in Iraq, a vivisection and a reproduction of a poster of the British police's anti-drug campaign. "Every day, death strikes everywhere and yet we live as if we were immortal. This is the greatest mystery," he says.
Homo Florienses. A New and Diminutive Species of Human Being Has Been Discovered was first presented by the Pinault Collection at the "Qui a peur des artistes ?" (“Who’s Afraid of Artists?”) exhibition at the Palais des Arts in Dinard in 2009.
Since the 1980s, Hirst has been exploring the relationship between science and art. Unique in the artist's approach, this large canvas was first exhibited in New York in 2005 and is accompanied by representations of the war in Iraq, a vivisection and a reproduction of a poster of the British police's anti-drug campaign. "Every day, death strikes everywhere and yet we live as if we were immortal. This is the greatest mystery," he says.
Homo Florienses. A New and Diminutive Species of Human Being Has Been Discovered was first presented by the Pinault Collection at the "Qui a peur des artistes ?" (“Who’s Afraid of Artists?”) exhibition at the Palais des Arts in Dinard in 2009.
Exhibitions
© Damien Hirst and Science Ltd. All rights reserved, Adagp, Paris.
Photographed by Prudence Cuming Associates
