Damien Hirst, the English artist best known for his controversial works depicting animals preserved in formaldehyde, is facing increased scrutiny after claims surfaced that he backdated over 1,000 pieces of art from his NFT project “The Currency.” The allegations suggest that Hirst misrepresented the actual creation dates of around 10% of the 10,000 physical paintings from the project. The physical paintings were all said to correspond with a matching NFT and were initially claimed to have been made by hand in 2016. However, sources have revealed that the dotted paintings were mass-produced by multiple artists in 2018 and 2019 in the U.K. on a production line.
According to sources who spoke to The Guardian, the process of producing the paintings was described as tedious and labor-intensive, with artists working on repetitive tasks that resulted in some individuals developing repetitive strain injuries. Video footage recorded inside Hirst’s studio in 2019 verified the claims made by the sources. Despite the allegations, lawyers for Hirst did not deny the claims but stated that the 2016 date marked the conceptual date of “The Currency” rather than the actual production date of each painting. The controversy surrounding the backdating of the artworks raises questions about the authenticity and legitimacy of Hirst’s works, as well as potentially affecting the value of his NFT project.
Hirst’s NFT project “The Currency” allowed purchasers to choose between keeping the physical painting or its digital twin. In a controversial move in 2022, Hirst burned the physical versions of those who selected the NFT, stating that he was completing the transformation of the artworks into NFTs by destroying their physical counterparts. This action caused a stir in the art world and raised concerns about the impact of digitizing physical artwork. While Hirst defended his actions as part of the transformation process, many questioned the destruction of physical artworks and the implications it had for the value of the pieces.
Backdating artworks, a practice of falsely labeling an art piece with an inaccurate creation year, is generally frowned upon in the art world. Hirst’s recent accusations of backdating artworks from his NFT project, along with previous allegations of falsely dating sculptures from the 1990s, raise serious concerns about the integrity of his artistic practices. The exposure of these incidents may further damage Hirst’s already-controversial reputation and cast doubt on the authenticity of his creations. As the art world continues to evolve with advancements in technology and the rise of NFTs, artists and collectors must navigate the complexities of digital art ownership and authentication to ensure the preservation of artistic integrity.
In conclusion, Damien Hirst’s NFT project “The Currency” is currently under scrutiny due to allegations of backdating artworks and misrepresenting creation dates. The controversy surrounding the production process of the physical paintings raises questions about the authenticity of Hirst’s works and the legitimacy of his NFT project. As the art world grapples with the complexities of digitization and authentication, transparency and accountability in artistic practices play a crucial role in maintaining trust and integrity within the industry. Damien Hirst’s reputation and the value of his artworks may be at stake as the allegations continue to unfold, shedding light on the challenges of navigating the intersection of traditional and digital art forms in the modern era.