The Civilisation Paintings is a striking catalogue published to accompany the eponymous exhibition at Phillips, London. Commencing on 5 August and showing until 2 September 2024, the exhibition marks the first time Damien Hirst’s new series ‘The Civilisation Paintings’ will be on display. 

‘The Civilisation Paintings’ are striking oil paintings that vividly capture the complexities and beauty of modern urban landscapes. Vibrant trees and flowers weave through the scenes, serving as poignant reminders of nature’s resilience amidst human development. Inspired by the Impressionists, Hirst infuses the series with deep emotion, which is compellingly contrasted by his use of AI tools, showcasing his ongoing fascination with science and technology. 

This beautifully designed catalogue features stunning full-colour reproductions of the complete series, both in their entirety and in their detail. It includes an illuminating foreword by British curator and art historian Norman Rosenthal, as well as an in-depth interview between Damien Hirst and James Fox. 

Damien Hirst is a renowned British artist celebrated for his groundbreaking contributions to contemporary art. Beginning at Goldsmiths School of Art, Hirst has been redefining the boundaries of artistic expression and production. Through a varied practice of installation, sculpture, painting and drawing, Hirst explores the complex relationships between art, beauty, religion, science, life and death.  Norman Rosenthal (b.1944) is a British independent curator and art historian, who previously served as the Exhibitions Secretary of the Royal Academy of Arts from 1977 to 2008 and co-organized the controversial Sensation exhibition in 1997.  James Fox is a London-based journalist, born in Washington D.C., and a former feature writer and foreign correspondent for The Sunday Times. He is the author of White Mischief and The Langhorne Sisters, and co-author of Life, the best-selling memoir of Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards. He has also contributed to various publications, including Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, London Review of Books and Air Mail, among others.