Damien Hirst was born in 1965 in Bristol and grew up in Leeds. In 1984 he moved to London, where he worked in construction before studying for a BA in Fine Art at Goldsmiths college from 1986 to 1989.

While still a student at Goldsmith’s College in 1988, he curated the now renowned student exhibition ‘Freeze’ held in East London. In this exhibition, Hirst brought together a group of artists who come to define the contemporary art in the 90’s and later known as the Young British Artists (YBA’s).

In 1991 Hirst held his first Solo Show at Woodstock Street Gallery in which he filled the gallery with hundreds of live tropical butterflies.

Continuing to exhibit in solo shows and with the Young British Artist’s, he was nominated for the prestigious Tate Gallery Turner Prize in 1992 which he later won in 1995.

Hirst’s art is wide-ranging, including installation, sculpture, painting and drawing. He has influenced many artist’s across the world including those such as Jeff Koons, Tracey Emin and Cindy Sherman.

In 2012, Tate Modern in London hosted a retrospective show of his work. It was at the time the most visited show in the gallery’s history.

In October 2015 Hirst opened his own art space in London where he exhibits his own work as well as his personal art collection and favoured artists.