Damien Hirst's "Cherry Blossoms" series marks a vibrant and exploratory phase in the artist's career, embracing the sheer joy and sensory overload of painting. Exhibited at the Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain in Paris from July 6, 2021, to January 2, 2022, this series was Hirst's first museum show in France, showcasing 30 paintings from the series. The collection encompasses a total of 107 canvases, all in large format, embodying Hirst's dive into the realm of color and natural beauty (Cartier Foundation).
The series is described by Hirst as an intersection of beauty, life, and death, with an intensity that verges on the excessive, almost reaching what he terms as "tacky." This vibrant exploration into the cherry blossom theme reflects a departure from the minimalist tendencies of his previous work, moving towards a celebration of nature's transient beauty. Hirst's engagement with the subject matter is both an homage and a playful twist on the traditional landscape painting, bridging historical art movements such as Impressionism and Action Painting with his contemporary perspective (Cartier Foundation).
Hirst's return to painting was fueled by the completion of his ambitious sculpture project, "Treasures from the Wreck of the Unbelievable," which spanned a decade. The "Cherry Blossoms" series, thus, signifies a rekindling of Hirst's passion for painting, allowing him to immerse himself in color and the act of painting itself. This series provided Hirst with an opportunity to revisit and reevaluate his relationship with painting, leading to a body of work that is simultaneously a personal reflection and an aesthetic exploration (Cartier Foundation).
The paintings are characterized by thick, gestural brushstrokes that depict the cherry blossoms in a burst of colors, from whites and maroons to pinks and greens. This technique not only nods to Action Painting but also envelops the viewer in a lush, flower-filled universe, challenging the senses and inviting deep emotional and visual engagement. The pandemic period allowed Hirst additional time to live with the paintings, ensuring their completion to his satisfaction and adding an introspective dimension to the series (Artnet News).
The Fondation Cartier's choice to showcase Hirst's "Cherry Blossoms" against its interior garden and Jean Nouvel-designed rooms offered a perfect backdrop for the vibrant canvases, creating an immersive experience that celebrated the beauty and complexity of nature as seen through Hirst's eyes. Through this series, Hirst continues to question and explore the themes of life, death, and beauty, utilizing the cherry blossom's ephemeral beauty as a metaphor for the fleeting nature of existence (Artnet News).
