Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
VISKEN 5 (Baby Blue)
Summary
VISKEN 5 (Baby Blue) is a 2014 polyurethane resin sculpture with ink pigment, editioned at 30 and measuring 30 x 29 x 7.5 cm. Numbered, signed and dated in the cast and published by Paul Stolper Gallery, it presents a rounded pill form in a soft baby-blue colorway, issued as a named color variant within the series.
Why It Matters
The named colorway signals that Hirst treats the pill as a design object whose palette is as considered as any painting. The gentle baby-blue tone softens the clinical subject, heightening the tension between the reassurance a pill promises and the deeper questions about mortality and faith that run through Hirst's pharmaceutical work.
Collector Perspective
This resin pill is flatter and more disc-like than the capsule multiples, and its identity is tied to the specific baby-blue colorway. In an edition of 30, collectors should confirm the color variant matches the numbered impression. Cast-in signing, numbering and dating authenticate it; resin surface and pigment integrity are the main condition considerations.
Historical Context
Within the 2014 Paul Stolper resin series, several works were issued in named colorways, letting collectors select among palettes of the same pharmaceutical form. This mirrors Hirst's earlier practice across spot and pill imagery, where color permutations multiply a single motif into a family of distinct, collectible variants.
FAQ
What does the Baby Blue designation mean?
It identifies the specific colorway of this resin pill; the work was issued as a named color variant.
What are its dimensions?
It measures 30 x 29 x 7.5 cm, giving it a flatter, disc-like form compared with the capsule sculptures.
What is the edition size?
The edition is 30, each numbered, signed and dated in the cast.
Who published it?
Paul Stolper Gallery, as part of Hirst's 2014 resin pill series.
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.