I think I've always been afraid of painting, really. Right from the beginning. All my paintings are about painting without a painter. Like a kind of mechanical form of painting. Damien Hirst afraidbeginform Change image and share on social
I used to watch 'Top of the Pops' when I was a kid and say 'Yeah!' or 'Boo!' at every single song. So there was nothing in the middle. You brutally put it on one side or another. Damien Hirst boobrutallykid Change image and share on social
But the answer to how to live is to stop thinking about it. And just to live. But you're doing that anyway. However you intellectualise it, you still just live. Damien Hirst answerintellectualiselive Change image and share on social
The spot paintings and spin paintings were trying to find mechanical ways to make paintings. Damien Hirst findmakemechanical Change image and share on social
But I think it's more that when you're young, you're invincible, you're immortal - or at least you think you are. The possibilities are limitless, you're inventing the future. Then you get older and suddenly you have a history. It's fixed. You can't change anything. I find that a bit disturbing, to be honest. Damien Hirst bitechangedisturb share on social
I always feel a bit trapped when a painting goes for millions of pounds and only one person can have it. If you can have that as well as a poster on every student's wall, then you're in a very enviable position. I'd like to do a Damien Hirst for £500 at some point. Damien Hirst bitedamienenviable share on social
In an artwork you're always looking for artistic decisions, so an ashtray is perfect. An ashtray has got life and death. Damien Hirst artisticartworkashtray Change image and share on social
Most people live in the city and go to the country at the weekend, and that's posh and aristocratic, but actually to live in the country and come to London when you can't take it any more is different. Damien Hirst aristocraticcitycountry share on social