Hirst auction expected to fetch 65m
A major auction of new works by controversial artist Damien Hirst is expected to fetch more than 65 million.
Beautiful Inside My Head Forever features pieces created by the artist over the past two years.
Highlights include a zebra in formaldehyde and a new shark work.
Hirst is also selling The Golden Calf - a calf with a golden disc on its head and hooves and horns cast in 18-carat solid gold - which is expected to fetch 12 million alone.
Spot and butterfly paintings will also go under the hammer in the two-day London event as part of the 223 lots.
Sotheby’s has said that if the sale fetched 65 million, it would be a record for any auction of works by just one artist.
The event follows the artist’s Pharmacy Sale, which fetched 11.1 million in 2004 for objects designed for Hirst’s Pharmacy restaurant.
Hirst’s diamond-encrusted skull sold for 50 million last year.
Hirst has said: “After the success of the Pharmacy auction, I always felt I would like to do another auction.
“It’s a very democratic way to sell art and it feels like a natural evolution for contemporary art.
“Although there is risk involved, I embrace the challenge of selling my work in this way.
“I never want to stop working with my galleries. This is different. The world’s changing, ultimately I need to see where this road leads.”
The auction takes place on September 15 and 16 at Sotheby’s London.
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