Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
Phendimetrazine (Controlled substances) (First edition)
Summary
A 2012 silkscreen from Damien Hirst's Controlled Substances vocabulary, Phendimetrazine takes its name from a prescription stimulant. Issued through Other Criteria in an edition of 150, it renders Hirst's signature grid of individually placed spots at a generous 70.5 x 118.8 cm, finished with a reflective glaze. It is signed and numbered, and designed to pair with the Controlled Substances Key Spot Print.
Why It Matters
The spot works are the backbone of Hirst's printmaking, and the Controlled Substances group formalizes their pharmaceutical premise most directly. Named after a controlled diet drug, Phendimetrazine literalizes the artist's long dialogue between medicine, desire, and colour. Its designed pairing with the Key Spot Print makes it part of a deliberate collector set rather than a standalone image.
Collector Perspective
At 150, the edition sits mid-range for Hirst spots, and the large horizontal format gives it real wall presence. The glaze rewards in-person viewing but demands careful, glare-aware framing. Collectors should note the intended pairing with the Key Spot Print, and confirm the signature, numbering, and condition of the glazed surface, which can show handling marks more readily than matte paper.
Historical Context
Hirst introduced spot paintings in 1988, governed by the rule that no colour repeats within a work. Other Criteria, his own publishing house, extended that logic into editioned prints. The Controlled Substances series, released around 2012, ties each print explicitly to a named pharmaceutical compound, sharpening the medicine-as-metaphor theme that has run through Hirst's practice for decades.
FAQ
What is the edition size?
The print was issued in an edition of 150, each impression signed and numbered by Hirst.
Why is it named after a drug?
Hirst titles his spot prints after chemical and pharmaceutical substances; Phendimetrazine is a prescription stimulant, reinforcing the series' medicine theme.
Can it be displayed with another print?
Yes. It was conceived to be shown on its own or paired with the Controlled Substances Key Spot Print.
What is the glaze?
A clear finishing layer applied over the silkscreen that adds gloss and depth; it should be framed to minimize glare and protect the surface.
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.