Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
Utopia
Summary
Utopia is a 2012 giclee by Damien Hirst combining inkjet, glaze and foilblock on Hahnemühle photo rag satin 310gsm. Published in an edition of 55 by Paul Stolper and Other Criteria, it presents a 54.3 x 68.4 cm image on a 69.3 x 82.4 cm sheet in landscape orientation, signed and numbered.
Why It Matters
Utopia distinguishes itself within the Heaven-related giclees through its landscape format and satin paper, giving the kaleidoscopic butterfly-wing composition a wider, more panoramic spread. The glaze and foilblock layered over archival inkjet produce a reflective, jewel-toned surface, again casting Hirst's insect symmetry as radiant, ornamental beauty.
Collector Perspective
The wider landscape sheet makes Utopia visually distinct among Hirst's foilblock giclees, an advantage for collectors wanting differentiation. Edition of 55 with Paul Stolper / Other Criteria provenance is strong. As with all foilblock works, condition of the reflective surface is decisive, confirm signature, numbering and that the foil and glaze are undamaged.
Historical Context
Utopia extends Hirst's kaleidoscope butterfly vocabulary, which recalls rose windows and devotional symmetry while carrying his enduring memento-mori subtext. The title's idealised connotation plays against the mortality inherent in the butterfly motif, a characteristic Hirst tension between beauty and death present since his early-1990s work.
FAQ
What makes Utopia different from the Heaven prints?
It is a landscape-format composition on satin paper with a wider sheet, distinct from the square Heaven variants.
What is the medium?
Inkjet giclee with glaze and foilblock on Hahnemühle photo rag satin 310gsm.
What is the edition size?
55, published by Paul Stolper and Other Criteria, signed and numbered.
What are the dimensions?
Image 54.3 x 68.4 cm; sheet 69.3 x 82.4 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.