in online exhibition Painterly
Painting by Numbers 2, 2001
Box with stretched canvas, 90 enamel paints and brushes. Canvas: 48.5 x 43.2 x 2.5 cm, box: 54 x 80 x 11.5 cm. Edition of 175, stamp-signed on back of canvas, signed and numbered on box lid.
With this edition, Damien Hirst invites his audience to create their own version of his iconic Spot Paintings. The 9 x 10 pre-drawn circles on the canvas correspond to the enclosed 9 x 10 small tubs of different-colored paint, enabling the owner to execute the piece exactly as envisioned by the artist. This work is not only a playful nod to popular children's coloring books, but also serves as a reflection on the authenticity of painting itself, especially given Hirst’s well-known practice of employing studio assistants to execute his works.
