Hirst’s work is marked by a fascination with the fragile line between life and death. His most famous pieces, such as ''The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone living'' —a tiger shark preserved in formaldehyde—bring visceral concepts of death into the realm of art. His use of biological specimens, pharmaceutical motifs, and even live insects reflects his philosophical inquiry into human life, medical intervention, and the inevitability of death. Through his art, Hirst presents mortality as a spectacle, inviting viewers to confront its reality while questioning society’s obsession with preservation and immortality.

Art, Money, and the Market

Equally famous for his commercial success, Hirst has often been criticized for blurring the line between art and commerce. His 2008 auction, in which he bypassed galleries to sell his works directly to buyers, made headlines as it challenged the traditional art market. Pieces like ''For the Love of God'', a platinum skull encrusted with 8,601 diamonds, raise questions about the relationship between art, value, and luxury. Despite the controversy surrounding his commercial ventures, Hirst remains one of the most influential and financially successful artists of his time, with a body of work that continues to provoke debate about the role of art in society and the value we place on life and death.