The Empresses

Hirst's enduring fascination with butterflies, a motif present since the early stages of his career, is evident in 'The Empresses.' Inspired by a fortuitous encounter in his studio and the intricate patterns on Victorian tea trays, this series builds on the intricate compositions introduced in his 'Kaleidoscope Paintings' series from 2001. In 'The Empresses,' Hirst further explores the butterfly's symbolic connections to freedom, religion, life, and death, linking these motifs to themes of glory, female power, and the development of nations through the prints' namesake female rulers.

The prints exhibit symmetrical, asymmetrical, and spiral patterns of meticulously organized butterflies, radiating hope and life as if the butterflies are in mid-flight. The laminated Giclée print on aluminum composite allows for intricate detailing, rendering the butterfly wings lifelike and imbuing them with an energetic quality through the light-reflecting surfaces.

Framing the awe-inspiring wing images is glitter, a vibrant and tactile material previously used by Hirst. The glitter adds a sense of joy, reminiscent of childhood play and moments of blissful abandon. The materiality collaborates with the depicted images, infusing a lively sentiment into the immobile butterfly wings within the intricate geometry of each print.

Offered as a limited edition series with sizes based on demand during a week-long application period, 'The Empresses' not only represents a new interpretation of Hirst's iconic butterfly motif but also introduces the HENI Editions NFT Deed. This digital innovation allows collectors to delay the receipt of prints for up to three years, providing ultimate flexibility and introducing a chrysalis-like stage in the prints' lifecycles.