We don’t often associate Damien Hirst—he of the formaldehyde-preserved animals and paint-suspended butterflies—with a lovey-dovey holiday like Valentine’s Day. But as it turns out, the bad boy of Britain’s art scene has a soft spot.
Hirst is launching a Valentine’s Day pop-up exhibition at London’s Paul Stolper Gallery that the Independent reports will focus exclusively on the theme of love. Works include butterfly prints (we can see it now: “no animals were harmed in the making of these silkscreens”), pink-and-red sculptures that recall the candy hearts you gave out in grade school that read “♡ YU 4 EVA,” and Love Struck, a sculpture of a heart pierced by a crossbow bolt suspended in a candy jar. Come on, what did you expect?
“Damien has always believed in love. It’s a common theme in his work,” said gallerist Paul Stolper. “There’s nothing wrong with love. He’s proud to celebrate that.”
Did you hear that, everyone? There’s nothing wrong with love! Even Damien Hirst thinks so, so if you’re still stumped on the perfect gift for your sweetie, perhaps a heart pierced by a crossbow bolt suspended in a candy jar?
Because it’s journalism, by the way, the Independent also notes that Hirst “split with his partner of 19 years, Maia Norman, in 2012, [and] has been dating girlfriend Roxie Nafousi for three years.”
Damien Hirst’s “LOVE” goes on display at Paul Stolper Gallery from February 9–12.
Looking for more Valentine’s Day inspiration? Check out 15 Romantic Artworks (In Anticipation of Valentine’s Day).