Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
Kindness
Summary
Kindness is a 2011 silkscreen on paper measuring 36 x 36 inches, hand-embellished with Hirst's signature diamond dust and published by Other Criteria in a signed edition of 50. The reflective particulate finish transforms a flat print surface into something that shifts and glitters as the viewer moves.
Why It Matters
Diamond dust is one of Hirst's most recognizable devices, borrowing directly from Warhol's own dust-embellished screenprints. Kindness applies that seductive, light-catching surface to elevate the print beyond a reproduction into a physical object. The 50-edition run keeps it genuinely limited within Hirst's prolific print catalogue.
Collector Perspective
At three feet square with a signed edition of only 50, Kindness reads as a statement wall piece rather than a modest print. Diamond-dust works reward in-person viewing, which can complicate photography and online resale, so collectors should prioritize condition of the delicate embellished surface and confirmation of the pencil signature.
Historical Context
Produced through Other Criteria, the publishing house Hirst co-founded in 2005, Kindness sits within his sustained early-2010s exploration of luxury print surfaces. Diamond dust recurs across his editions of this period, linking his practice to the Pop lineage while extending his lifelong themes of beauty, mortality, and material seduction.
FAQ
What is diamond dust on a Hirst print?
It is a fine glittering particulate applied to the print surface that catches light and shifts as you move. Hirst adopted the technique from Andy Warhol's dust-embellished screenprints of the late 1970s.
How large is Kindness?
It measures 36 x 36 inches, a substantial square format that functions as a focal wall piece.
How many were produced?
It was released in a signed edition of 50 by Other Criteria in 2011.
Is the work signed?
Yes. Kindness is hand-signed as part of its limited edition.
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.