Name: Red Bird And Parrot With Shark Jaw (large)
Brand: Damien Hirst
Rating: 4.9 (183 reviews)

Meaning & Analysis

Red Bird And Parrot With Shark Jaw (large) is a signed lithograph print produced by renowned contemporary artist, Damien Hirst. The print comes in two variations, large and small. In this print, Hirst depicts two birds. To the left of the composition, Hirst draws a parrot which he renders in striking red, yellow and blue, drawing attention to the bird’s colourful feathers. To the right of the composition, Hirst includes a little red bird, which appears very small in comparison to the large parrot. The two birds are captured sitting casually on top of a wooden column. Behind them, Hirst includes the jaws of a shark, wide open.

The print was made in 2012 to celebrate the occasion of Hirst’s exhibition, Two Weeks One Summer, which was on display at the White Cube Bermondsey in 2012. Red Bird And Parrot With Shark Jaw (large) showcases Hirst’s excellent draughtsmanship, which is often overlooked due to the artist’s rise to fame garnered from his installations.

The print is rendered in dark and bold colours, giving it a sombre atmosphere. The inclusion of the shark jaws, which loom ominously behind the birds can be interpreted as a warning representing the inevitability of death and the fragility of life.