Damien Hirst is set to become the first artist to take over Château La Coste with a major exhibition next spring.
Running from March 2 through June 23, 2024, the exhibition – titled The Light That Shines – will see Hirst showcase his works across all five of the 500-acre estate’s unique exhibition pavilions.
The artist, known for his thought-provoking works that explore themes around mortality, desire and religion, is set to display an assortment of sculptures and paintings, including several never-before-seen pieces.
[See also: Mark Rothko Exhibition Opens at Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris]
At the Renzo Pavilion (designed by renowned architect Renzo Piano), guests will be able to see key works from Hirst’s groundbreaking Natural History series including a variety of animals preserved in formaldehyde (a technique he began using in the 1990s).
Elsewhere at the Provencal art and wine destination, the Richard Rogers Gallery will exhibit The Empress Paintings – a striking collection of prints that arrange red and black butterfly wings into captivating kaleidoscopic patterns.
Related
The Old Store Winehouse – an art center constructed on a former vineyard at Château La Coste – will display Hirst’s Cosmos Paintings inspired by the Hubble Space Telescope’s long-exposure images, alongside his Satellites and Meteorites series.
Finally, the Oscar Niemeyer Auditorium will showcase sculptures and lightboxes from his 2017 show, Treasures from the Wreck of the Unbelievable, while the Bastide Gallery will display Hirst’s most recent series, The Secret Gardens Paintings, depicting vibrantly colored flowers finished with abstract paint splatters. A series of outdoor sculptures will also be shown at Frank Gehry’s Music Pavilion and the Tadao Ando Art Center.
“This magnificent show has been an idea for many years,” said Paddy McKillen, founder of Château La Coste. “Amid laughs and giggles, chats and cups of tea, great ideas evolved as they do when Damien is his playful self. He has planned out this show to perfection.”
Content from our partners
Hirst added: “I am thrilled and excited to be the first artist to do a takeover show and have my work exhibited across the whole estate. Paddy McKillen is a genius and great friend and wonderful human and he makes the most amazing places for people to be. I’m so happy to be a part of Paddy’s vision.”
[See also: Must-See Manet and Degas Exhibition Opens at The Met]
