Quotes by Damien Hirst

“So smoking is the perfect way to commit suicide without actually dying. I smoke because its bad, its really simple.”

“But I always liked the fact that you get these totally unacceptable images, but theyre taken by a really expensive photographer, with great light, and in terms of the quality of the photograph its a great photograph, but in terms of imagery its unacceptable, and I like that contradiction.”

“What I really like is minimum effort for maximum effect.”

“But whenever I look at the question of how to live, the answers always staring me in the face. Im already doing it.”

“Its amazing what you can do with an E in A-level art, twisted imagination and a chainsaw.”

“I sometimes feel that I have nothing to say and I want to communicate this.”

“She wasnt much to look at, but she was great to dance with.”

“But Im not ambitious for myself, or for attention.”

“A bloke for the 90s”

I like the confusion you get between science and religion … that’s where belief lies and art as well.

Painting is so poetic, while sculpture is more logical and scientific and makes you worry about gravity.

Heres one from me: You have to be aware that everyone else is thinking far too hard about themselves to be thinking about you, whoever you are. If you want it, you can have it. Once you know that, you can be free.

I was taught to confront things you cant avoid. Death is one of those things. To live in a society where youre trying not to look at it is stupid because looking at death throws us back into life with more vigour and energy. The fact that flowers dont last for ever makes them beautiful.

In an artwork youre always looking for artistic decisions, so an ashtray is perfect. An ashtray has got life and death.

Kids are naturally gifted at art from a very young age. The problem is when they get older and become self-conscious. The process should always be fun, though.

But I think its more that when youre young, youre invincible, youre immortal - or at least you think you are. The possibilities are limitless, youre inventing the future. Then you get older and suddenly you have a history. Its fixed. You cant change anything. I find that a bit disturbing, to be honest.

Great art - or good art - is when you look at it, experience it and it stays in your mind. I dont think conceptual art and traditional art are all that different.

I have always been aware that you have to get people listening before you can change their minds. Any artists big fear is being ignored, so if you get debate, thats great.

Its amazing what you can do with an E in A-Level art, a twisted imagination and a chainsaw.

I always feel like the arts there and I just see it, so its not really a lot of work.