Damien Hirst

Theories, Models, Methods, Approaches, Assumptions, Results and Findings was published to coincide with the exhibition of the same title at Gagosian Gallery, New York. All works contained in the exhibition are illustrated and accompanied by excerpts from the Journal of Clinical Forensic Medicine, a text by novelist Gordon Burn, and an essay by Dr George Poste, Chairman of the US Department of Defense Science Board on Bioterrorism.The book references the academic scientific research publications that have inspired Hirst's work since the beginning of his artistic endeavours, placing the sculptures and paintings into what feels like a natural home. The diagram on the cover shows the changes and processes affecting the body after death, and illustrated essay titles include 'The epidemiology of violence' and 'Observations on fatal injuries to the brain stem and/or upper cervical spinal cord'. These essays, and many more with their accompanying diagrams, tables and pie-charts, bring order and reason to unacceptably difficult events like much of Hirst's work.