Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
Ala-His (First Edition)
Work Summary & Collector Notes
Ala-His is a 2011 color woodcut, part of a larger series of forty woodblock prints, published by Paragon Press. Measuring roughly 11.5 x 9 inches, it is signed and numbered from an edition of 55, showing Hirst working in a traditional relief medium rather than his more familiar screenprint output.
Collector notes: The saved release record describes: Signed and numbered from an edition of 55. The saved release record describes: signed; numbered. Verify each feature against a documented example of this edition.
Why It Matters
Woodcut is a demanding, historically weighted technique, and Hirst's use of it signals a deliberate engagement with printmaking craft. As one of forty related sheets, Ala-His belongs to a coherent body of work where Hirst translates his spot vocabulary into the physical grain and layered registration of relief printing.
Collector Perspective
The intimate scale and edition of 55 make this an accessible entry into Hirst's more craft-oriented editions. Collectors drawn to series completeness may pursue multiple sheets from the forty-print group. Confirm the pencil signature and reverse numbering, and note the smaller format when planning framing and display.
Historical Context
Paragon Press, founded by Charles Booth-Clibborn, has published ambitious artist print portfolios since the 1980s and collaborated with Hirst on several woodcut projects. Ala-His reflects the early-2010s period when Hirst systematically reworked his signature spot motif across traditional matrices including woodcut and etching.
Documented Release Details
- Object type
- Editioned print or object
- Release date
- 2011
- Release-date note
- Catalog-listed release year from the saved secondary record; primary release-page confirmation remains pending.
- Medium and materials
- Woodcut; catalog dimensions 11.5 x 9 inches; Woodcut printed in colours, from a series of 40 woodcut prints.
- Edition details
- The saved release record describes: Signed and numbered from an edition of 55.
- Signature and marks
- The saved release record describes: signed; numbered. Verify each feature against a documented example of this edition.
Documented History and Meaning
History note: This page treats Damien Hirst's broader career as background context, not proof that this specific edition belongs to any single exhibition or event. Release-level facts here come from a saved secondary catalog record.
Meaning / interpretation: Read as documented context rather than stated intent: Paragon Press, founded by Charles Booth-Clibborn, has published ambitious artist print portfolios since the 1980s and collaborated with Hirst on several woodcut projects. This is an interpretive reading of the release context, not a statement of the artist's intent for this specific work. This interpretive note follows the cited artist or publisher context.
Release context: The saved catalog lists 2011 and attributes the edition to Paragon Press. The saved description also notes: Woodcut printed in colours, from a series of 40 woodcut prints.
Authentication, Presentation and Provenance
- Original presentation
- Original packaging or presentation was not documented in the release sources reviewed.
- Authentication note
- Compare the support, dimensions, edition number, and signature against a documented example of this edition. Gauntlet Gallery does not authenticate works purchased from third parties.
- Provenance note
- Edition origin is attributed in the saved record to Paragon Press. That does not establish the ownership history of an individual copy: retain the original invoice, reseller or gallery paperwork, labels, correspondence, and condition photographs.
Sources and Verification
Verification status: Secondary catalog snapshot; artist-level context added
- Saved release record — Art Collectorz · secondary catalog snapshot · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Starting record for title, year, edition, dimensions, medium, and release description. Primary confirmation against the original release page remains pending.
- Damien Hirst — official site — Damien Hirst studio (Science Ltd.) · primary artist source · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Official artist site; career context, not an individual-edition record.
- Damien Hirst — Wikipedia · reference encyclopedia · Accessed 2026-07-13 · General artist-level biographical and career reference.
- Damien Hirst (Q294326) — Wikidata · reference knowledge base · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Structured identifier used for the artist across catalog metadata.
FAQ
What series is Ala-His part of?
It comes from a set of forty related woodcut prints Hirst produced with Paragon Press.
What is the edition size?
It is signed and numbered from an edition of 55.
Who published it?
Paragon Press, the London publisher known for ambitious artist print portfolios.
How does a woodcut differ from Hirst's screenprints?
A woodcut is a relief technique carved into wood and printed by hand-registered blocks, giving a more textural, craft-driven surface than the flat, mechanical evenness of screenprint.
