Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
Dead Black Utopia (Dead Black Brilliant Utopia - Diamond Dust)
Summary
Dead Black Brilliant Utopia is a 2014 giclee print with glaze and diamond dust, from an edition of 50, measuring 86.5 x 71 cm. Co-published by Other Criteria and Paul Stolper, it renders Hirst's spot vocabulary in a dark, glittering register that shifts between order and shimmer under light.
Why It Matters
The Utopia prints push the spot idea into a more atmospheric, jewel-like territory by combining inkjet, glaze, and diamond dust. The Dead Black ground makes the diamond dust the primary event, so the work depends on real viewing conditions and lighting rather than reproduction, rewarding in-person encounter.
Collector Perspective
Diamond-dust editions carry a tactile, reflective quality prized by collectors of Hirst's later print work. The joint Other Criteria and Paul Stolper imprint is a recognizable pairing. Because the surface is light-dependent, condition and framing choices meaningfully affect how the piece presents.
Historical Context
Diamond dust as a print material recalls Warhol's use of it, a lineage Hirst knowingly engages. The Utopia group extends his spot project into materially richer editions during the 2010s, when his collaborations with Paul Stolper produced a run of technically elaborate prints.
FAQ
What materials are used?
Inkjet (giclee) printing finished with glaze and diamond dust, measuring 86.5 x 71 cm.
Who published it?
It was co-published by Other Criteria and Paul Stolper in 2014.
How does Dead Black differ from the Black version?
It shares the format and technique but uses a darker ground, which foregrounds the diamond dust and changes how light plays across the surface.
What is the edition size?
The edition is 50, signed and numbered.
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.