Damien Hirst: End of a Century

Book excerpt: Early Hirst: iconic paintings and sculptures from the first two decades of the YBA protagonist's career This volume collects all works featured in End of a Century, a major exhibition of some of Damien Hirst's (born 1965) early pieces from the 1980s and 1990s held at Newport Street Gallery, London. A selection of sketches and preparatory drawings accompany full-color reproductions of the exhibited paintings and sculptures, offering insight into the development of some of the artist's most iconic series. Also included is an original text--part essay, part short story--by writer Harry Thorne, and a number of quotes by Hirst himself on the subjects that have preoccupied him throughout his career: science, religion, life and death.