Damien Hirst's artistic endeavors in the 2000s solidified his reputation as a provocative and pioneering figure in contemporary art. His work during this period continued to explore the themes of life, death, and beyond, often through unorthodox and controversial mediums. One of the most notable events in Hirst's career during the 2000s was his 2008 auction, "Beautiful Inside My Head Forever," at Sotheby's, where he bypassed traditional galleries to sell a complete show directly through auction. This groundbreaking move fetched £111 million ($198 million), setting a record for a one-artist auction and for Hirst himself with £10.3 million for "The Golden Calf," an animal adorned with 18-carat gold horns and hooves and preserved in formaldehyde​ (Wikipedia)​. Hirst's work from this era often revolved around the cycle of life and death, a fascination that traces back to his youth. He famously suspended a 13-foot tiger shark in a tank of formaldehyde in "The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living" (1991), a work that epitomizes his career-long exploration of mortality and the human condition's vulnerabilities. This piece, along with others like the bisected cow and calf of "Mother and Child Divided" (1993), showcased Hirst's interest in how art, science, and religion interplay to shape our understanding of existence​ (Christie's)​. Hirst's art from the 2000s also includes the "Black Sheep with Golden Horns" (2009) and "Amatoxin" (2010), demonstrating his continued use of formaldehyde and other materials to challenge perceptions of beauty and decay. His work during this period underscores a consistent preoccupation with series and pairs, reflecting his belief in the power of repetition to instill a sense of belief or understanding​ (Gagosian)​. Throughout the 2000s, Hirst also engaged in creating works that questioned the nature of art itself, such as his "Spot Paintings" and "Spin Paintings," which provoked discussions about artistic creation, mechanical reproduction, and the role of the artist's hand in contemporary art. These works, often produced with the help of studio assistants, continued to spark debate about authenticity and the value of art​ (Christie's)​. Damien Hirst's art in the 2000s not only pushed the boundaries of traditional sculpture and painting but also challenged the art market's norms, making him one of the most influential and discussed artists of his generation. His ability to provoke public and critical debate, combined with his commercial success, exemplifies his complex relationship with the contemporary art world.