Methamphetamine, 2004

Created in 2004, Methamphetamine is a monumental edition by Damien Hirst from his celebrated Pharmaceutical Paintings (Spot) series. Composed of a precise grid of uniformly sized, vividly coloured spots against a white background, the work embodies the ordered visual language that has become synonymous with Hirst's practice. The title, referencing the synthetic stimulant methamphetamine, introduces a conceptual dimension, exploring themes of medicine, science, and humanity's reliance on pharmaceutical intervention. Combining strict formal structure with conceptual depth, Methamphetamine exemplifies Hirst's enduring fascination with systems of classification and the complex relationship between health, mortality, and contemporary culture.