It’s not as if Damien Hirst lacks space in London, especially when it comes to exhibiting his own work. Between his superb Caruso St John, designed Newport Street Gallery and his private subterranean gallery in Regent’s Park, Damien has plenty of wall space.
Now, Gagosian, the largest chain of global galleries, has turned over their massive Britannia Street space to the bad-boy, YBA. “We need to do things differently at an altered time. It’s a definite takeover,” Gagosian director Millicent Wilner told the FT.
Hirst, as curator, will now mount a series of shows which will present some of his more obscure paintings and sculptures. These will include his Photo-Realist “Fact” series of paintings and sculptures. “The idea of variations of truth seems relevant just now, Wilner says. The works span from 2005-2019 and many are on loan, rather for sale, Wilner added.
Hirst plans to open in April, lockdown willing.
John Moores Painting Prize Shortlist Announced
The Walker Art Gallery has announced the five paintings shortlisted for the John Moores Painting Prize 2020.
The shortlisted works are among the 67 paintings to be exhibited in the John Moores Painting Prize 2020, at the Walker from 12 February to 27 June 2021. A virtual tour of the exhibition will launch on 12 February until the gallery can open.
The five shortlisted artists, awarded £2,500, are: The Neanderthal Futures Infirmary by Robbie Bushe, Compost by Michele Fletcher, The Motherland by Steph Goodger, March by Stephen Lee and The Common by Kathryn Maple.
The first prize winner will be announced on 4 March, when the winning artist will not only receive the £25,000 first prize, but also the honour of joining an esteemed list of British painters who have won the Prize over the past 63 years. The winning painting will be acquired by the Walker Art Gallery and join its world-class collection, while the artist will also have a future solo display at the gallery.
Past prize winners include David Hockney (1967), Mary Martin (1969), Lisa Milroy (1989), Peter Doig (1993), Keith Coventry (2010) and Rose Wylie (2014). Sir Peter Blake, winner of the junior prize in 1961, is patron of the Prize. The winner of the prestigious first prize in 2018 was Jacqui Hallum with her painting King and Queen of Wands.