Dequalinium Chloride
Dequalinium Chloride
Signed Print
Damien Hirst
Wood Cut, 2016
Signed Print Edition of 55
H 88cm x W 107cm
Critical Review
Dequalinium Chloride is a signed woodcut spot produced by renowned contemporary artist, Damien Hirst. The print, made in 2016, shows a large grid of coloured spots. The 8 x 10 rectangular grid is arranged with mathematical precision as each spot is spaced out evenly. The random selection of colours contrasts with the precision with which they are arranged in the grid formation. The colourful spots stand out against the plain white backdrop, reflecting Hirst’s love for colour.
Dequalinium Chloride is one of Hirst’s iconic Spots paintings. These prints are all formulaic in their composition and production, and each Spots painting depicts a grid of colourful spots. The Spots paintings mark a turning point in Hirst’s career as he had become renowned enough to employ a group of assistants to help him with the production of some of his works. The Spot paintings are governed by a small number of basic rules, which assistants could easily follow. The series holds the possibility for countless iterations and variations.
The name of the print, Dequalinium Chloride, refers to a drug used to treat sore throats. The print therefore captures Hirst’s fascination with modern medicine which he frequently explores in his artworks, most notably in series such as The Cure and Eat the Rich.
