Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
Fuckoff
Summary
Part of Damien Hirst's 2017 'Eat the Rich' series, 'Fuckoff' is a silkscreen print rendered in the clinical language of pharmaceutical packaging. Where a drug's brand name would sit, Hirst substitutes a word of confrontation. Published by Other Criteria in a signed, numbered edition of 150 at 40 x 30 inches.
Why It Matters
The work sits at the intersection of Hirst's two career-defining obsessions: the seductive design of medicine and the darker instincts it masks. By hijacking the trusted visual grammar of the pill packet, 'Fuckoff' turns a symbol of care into one of aggression, extending the conceptual thread first opened by his 1990s 'Medicine Cabinets'.
Collector Perspective
As one of twelve prints in a cohesive series, 'Fuckoff' rewards collectors who value thematic complete sets, though it stands on its own visual merit. The edition of 150 and Other Criteria provenance make it an accessible entry into Hirst's pharmaceutical output. Its confrontational title tends to make it one of the more sought titles in the group.
Historical Context
'Eat the Rich' arrived decades after Hirst's earliest medicine works, restating a preoccupation that shaped his rise as a leading figure of the Young British Artists. The series pairs minimalist, confidence-projecting design with implied violence, reflecting on how modern society places faith in pharmaceuticals as both cure and control.
FAQ
How large is the print and how many exist?
It measures 40 x 30 inches (1016 x 762 mm) and was published in a signed, numbered edition of 150 by Other Criteria.
Is 'Fuckoff' a unique work?
No. It is one of twelve screenprints in the 'Eat the Rich' series, each replacing a drug's brand name with a word implying force or violence.
How does it connect to Hirst's earlier work?
It extends the pharmaceutical-packaging aesthetic he first explored in the 1990s 'Medicine Cabinets', continuing his fascination with the body and the medical industry around it.
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.