site.btaOne of Damien Hirst’s Most Influential Series to Be Displayed in Sofia

One of the most influential series in contemporary art, The Empresses, by British artist Damien Hirst will be exhibited at the Vivacom Art Hall gallery in Sofia, located at 5 Oborishte Street. The exhibition will showcase the artist's innovative works centered on themes of beauty, power, and transformation. It will be open to the public from October 8 to 25, according to the organizers.

According to the gallery team, the exhibition features five striking prints inspired by both real and mythological historical figures — each represented through Hirst’s iconic spot painting technique and dynamic color palette. The works are named after five exceptionally influential female rulers: Wu Zetian, Nur Jahan, Theodora, Suiko, and Taytu Betul.

“The Empresses” are described as a dazzling spectacle of color and texture, created using thousands of butterfly wings arranged in intricate kaleidoscopic patterns, printed with laminated Giclée on aluminum composite, and lavishly finished with screen-printed red glitter, a material that adds texture, depth, and brilliance, the Vivacom Art Hall explains.

“This exhibition is the result of dedicated efforts to give the Bulgarian public access to top-tier contemporary art,” said Denitsa Gergova, the gallery’s art director.

There will also be a public lecture where art enthusiasts will be introduced to Damien Hirst. Denitsa Gergova will present his creative journey, innovative approaches, his influence on the art market, the stories behind his most expensive works, as well as his record-breaking auctions. Attendees will also have the opportunity to view the exhibition under her guidance.

Damien Hirst, born in 1965 in Bristol, is one of the most recognizable and provocative contemporary artists. He rose to prominence in the 1990s as a leading figure in the Young British Artists (YBA) movement and won the prestigious Turner Prize in 1995. Among his most famous works are a shark in formaldehyde, a diamond-encrusted skull, and various series featuring butterflies as symbols of life, death, and faith.

His artworks are held in the collections of MoMA – New York, Tate – London, and dozens of leading museums and galleries worldwide.

"Hirst combines science, religion, and philosophy with visual power, often questioning the boundaries between life and art. He explores the value of objects and the market system in the art world, unafraid to experiment with new technologies and media," the gallery stated.