Early Life and Education of Damien Hirst: A Complete Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: October 8, 2025

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Damien Hirst. A timeline of key moments.

Damien Hirst is a prominent English artist and art collector, known as one of the Young British Artists (YBAs) who significantly impacted the UK art world in the 1990s. Reputedly the wealthiest living artist in the UK, Hirst's career was initially intertwined with collector Charles Saatchi. Their collaborative relationship eventually dissolved due to growing tensions in 2003. Hirst's work is often characterized by controversial themes and materials, solidifying his place as a major figure in contemporary art.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

June 1965: Damien Hirst Born

In June 1965, Damien Steven Hirst was born. He later became an English artist and art collector, one of the Young British Artists (YBAs) who dominated the UK art scene in the 1990s.

Others born on this day/year

1983: Hayward Gallery Exhibition Visit

In 1983, Damien Hirst visited an exhibition of Francis Davison's work at the Hayward Gallery. The abstract collages made from torn and cut coloured paper inspired his own work for the next two years.

1986: Studied at Goldsmiths College

In 1986, Damien Hirst started studying Fine Art at Goldsmiths College, after working for two years on London building sites.

July 1988: Organized Freeze Exhibition

In July 1988, during his second year at Goldsmiths College, Damien Hirst organized the independent student exhibition, Freeze, in London's Docklands. The event was visited by Charles Saatchi, Norman Rosenthal and Nicholas Serota.

1992: Turner Prize Nomination

In 1992, Damien Hirst was nominated for the Turner Prize for his first Young British Artists exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery in North London, which included his 'The Physical Impossibility of Death...'. However, the award went to Grenville Davey that year.

1995: Birth of first son

In 1995, Damien Hirst's first son was born.

1999: Refusal of Venice Biennale and Royal Academian Invitation

In 1999, Damien Hirst was asked to represent the UK in the Venice Biennale or to become a Royal Academian, but he refused both offers.

2000: Birth of Hirst's second son

In 2000, Damien Hirst's second son was born with his then-girlfriend, Maia Norman.

September 2002: Interview with BBC News Online

On 10 September 2002, on the eve of the first anniversary of the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks, Damien Hirst gave an interview with BBC News Online.

2002: Quitting Smoking and Drinking

In 2002, Damien Hirst stopped smoking and drinking after his wife complained. Also, after Joe Strummer died of a heart attack just before Christmas 2002, Hirst founded a charity, Strummerville, to help young musicians.

2005: Birth of Hirst's third son

In 2005, Damien Hirst's third son was born with his then-girlfriend, Maia Norman.

2007: Hirst praises An Oak Tree

In 2007, Damien Hirst expressed high praise for An Oak Tree by Michael Craig-Martin, calling it "the greatest piece of conceptual sculpture".

August 2008: Sale of For the Love of God

On August 30, 2008, Damien Hirst's artwork 'For the Love of God' was sold to a consortium that included Hirst himself and his gallery White Cube, after not selling outright previously.

December 2008: Copyright Dispute over Skull Images

In December 2008, Damien Hirst, through the Design and Artists Copyright Society (DACS), demanded action against a 16-year-old graffiti artist, Cartrain, for works containing images of Hirst's skull sculpture 'For the Love of God'. Cartrain was selling these artworks on the internet gallery 100artworks.com.

2010: Unsuccessful Bid for Magazine Building

In 2010, Damien Hirst was among the unsuccessful bidders to take over the Magazine Building, a 19th-century structure in Kensington Gardens.

March 2012: Plans to Open Vauxhall Gallery

In March 2012, Damien Hirst outlined his plans to open a gallery in Vauxhall, London, specifically designed to exhibit his personal collection, which includes five pieces by Francis Bacon.

2013: Reopening of Magazine Building

In 2013, the Magazine Building, for which Damien Hirst had unsuccessfully bid to take over in 2010, reopened as the Serpentine Sackler Gallery after its conversion by Zaha Hadid.

October 2015: Opening of Newport Street Gallery

In October 2015, Damien Hirst's Newport Street Gallery opened. It is located in a former theater carpentry and scenery production workshops redesigned by Peter St John and Adam Caruso, and runs the length of Newport Street in Vauxhall.