A ‘Spot Painting’ of Mickey Mouse by Damien Hirst has been donated to the Kids Company charity by the artist. It will be auctioned next month at Christies.
The 1829 x 1054mm canvas is expected to make up to £150,000 Other artists including Andy Warhol, Claes Oldenburg, Roy Lichtenstein and Banksy have used the Disney character in their work. Hirst, began his ‘spot series’ in 1986 and has painted over 1,000 canvases of varying sizes and complexities.
The Bristol born artist, 48, said he was inspired to paint the Disney creature because it reminded him of “the joy of being a kid”. He hoped people would like his piece, which is entitled ‘Mickey’. He said: “Mickey Mouse represents happiness and the joy of being a kid and I have reduced his shape down to the basic elements of a few simple spots. “I hope people love it, because it is still instantly recognisable – Mickey Mouse is such a universal and powerful icon.”
Francis Outred, Head of Post-War and Contemporary Art at Christie’s Europe, said: “Taking his own universally recognised painterly language – the spots – and applying it in a striking yet simple composition to Mickey, the resulting image speaks of the profound way that both icons have entered our collective consciousness.” I think this says it all!!!
The painting is part of a Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening Auction at Christie’s headquarters in London from February 8 until February 13 where it will be sold.