Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
Curare
Summary
Curare is a 2012 woodcut on paper by Damien Hirst, published by Other Criteria in an edition of 55. A tight 46.2 x 46.2 cm square, it renders the spot motif through carved wood blocks, giving the colour spots the texture and physicality of relief printing. Named after the well-known plant-derived toxin, the print is signed and numbered.
Why It Matters
Curare pairs the spot motif with the name of a famous natural poison, and realizes it in the rarer woodcut medium. The relief process distinguishes it sharply from Hirst's glazed silkscreens, and the edition of 55 makes it genuinely scarce. Its perfect square format and evocative title give it a concentrated presence within the spot series.
Collector Perspective
The 55-impression edition and woodcut medium make Curare a rarer, process-driven spot print prized by printmaking collectors. Its compact square suits close viewing and grouped displays. Confirm the signature and numbering, and look for the tactile impression of the wood block in the paper. The evocative title adds narrative appeal to the piece.
Historical Context
Since 1988, Hirst's spots have followed the rule that no colour repeats within a work. Alongside the silkscreens, Other Criteria issued spot editions as woodcuts, a traditional relief technique that carries the grain of carved blocks into the print. Curare, named for a paralyzing plant toxin, continues the naming convention that ties the spots to science, medicine, and mortality.
FAQ
What medium is Curare?
It is a woodcut, a relief-print process, printed on paper rather than silkscreened.
How large is the edition?
Curare was issued in an edition of 55, each signed and numbered.
What does the title refer to?
Curare is a plant-derived toxin historically used as a poison; Hirst titles spot works after chemical and natural substances.
What are its dimensions?
It is a square print measuring 46.2 x 46.2 cm.
About the Artist
Damien Hirst (born 1965, Bristol) is a British artist and the most prominent figure of the Young British Artists (YBAs). Rising to fame in the late 1980s and 1990s, he built a practice around mortality, science, religion, and beauty — from formaldehyde-preserved animals to his Spot, Spin, and Butterfly (Kaleidoscope) series. Hirst is also one of the most prolific printmakers in contemporary art, releasing extensive signed editions through his own science-led studio and, more recently, the HENI imprint. His work has commanded record prices and defined the market for blue-chip contemporary editions.
Collecting Damien Hirst at Gauntlet Gallery
Which Damien Hirst prints should I collect?
Signed, numbered editions from his signature series — Spots, Butterflies/Kaleidoscope, Spins, Cherry Blossoms, and skull works — are the collectible core. Look for strong condition and the artist's pencil signature. Gauntlet Gallery prioritizes complete, well-documented impressions.
How is a Hirst print authenticated?
We sell Hirst works with documented provenance and the edition's signature and numbering; many carry HENI or studio documentation. Each piece is photographed exactly as it ships, including signature and edition details.
What drives value?
Series and image (iconic Spots and Butterflies lead), edition size, format and scale, condition, and provenance all drive value. Hand-signed, low-numbered, and diamond-dust or foilblock works command premiums.