Damien Hirst has had a controversial career, Mounting up a vast number of critics. One controversial element that interests me is the animals who lost their lives for his practice, and Hirst’s fascination with displaying death. One work that encapsulates this is ‘A Thousand Years’ (shown below). The theme of Memento Mori is prevalent, with a part of the cycle of life taking place before the viewers eyes. As well as having shock value, a work like this has a long lasting effect. Following seeing the work the viewer is aware of what is yet to unfold, how the situation will become more and more extreme. A piece of art having a narrative beginning as the exhibition opens its doors and ending as those doors are closed creates an interesting experience that I would like to be prevalent in my own work. Each member of the public coming to see the exhibition will be exposed to a different stage of the story.

People living in urban environments have become so removed from the meat production process. These same individuals are shocked by the decapitated cows head, this irony is present in much of Hirst’s work. I feel this project is beginning to have a cynical feel to it, similar to the work of Hirst as well as Piero Manzoni.

With the death toll reaching nearly 1 million, Hirst has explored (all be it with an ironic edge) the theme of Memento Mori thoroughly. “Cut us all in half, we’re all the fucking same,” is a quote from the famed artist.