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Damien Hirst's Solo Exhibition at Villa Borghese in Rome Showcases Fictional Shipwreck Treasures

exhibition · 2026-03-24

In September 2021, British artist Damien Hirst presented his solo exhibition 'Treasures from the Wreck of the Unbelievable' at the Villa Borghese in Rome. The show featured sculptural works that imagine artifacts from a fictional shipwreck off East Africa, displayed alongside the gallery's permanent collection of classical art. Hirst, born in 1965, is known for exploring themes of life and death through various media. The exhibition, which first appeared in Venice in 2017, includes pieces made from materials like bronze, marble, and lapis lazuli. The display prompted discussions about artistic authorship and workshop practices in contemporary art.

Key facts

  • Damien Hirst's exhibition 'Treasures from the Wreck of the Unbelievable' was held at Villa Borghese in Rome in September 2021.
  • The show presents sculptures depicting fictional artifacts from a shipwreck off the coast of East Africa.
  • Hirst is a British contemporary artist born in 1965, focusing on themes of life and death.
  • The exhibition originally debuted in Venice in 2017 and features works using traditional materials such as bronze and marble.
  • The display contrasts Hirst's contemporary pieces with the Villa Borghese's permanent collection of 16th and 17th-century art.

Entities

Artists

Institutions

Locations

  • Rome
  • Italy
  • East Africa
  • Venice

Sources