ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Blast to Freeze: British Art from 1914 to 1992 at Les Abattoirs

exhibition · 2026-04-23

Les Abattoirs in Toulouse presents 'Blast to Freeze,' a major survey of 20th-century British art spanning 1910 to 1992. The exhibition features over 400 works by 100 artists, bookended by two pivotal moments: the 1914 launch of the vorticist magazine 'Blast' and the 1988 'Freeze' show organized by Damien Hirst, which launched the Young British Artists (YBAs). The show covers vorticism, wartime art, the School of London, Pop art, New British Sculpture, and contemporary YBAs. Running from February 25 to May 11, 2003.

Key facts

  • Exhibition titled 'Blast to Freeze' at Les Abattoirs, Toulouse
  • Dates: February 25 to May 11, 2003
  • Over 400 works by 100 artists
  • Covers British art from 1910 to 1992
  • Named after the 1914 vorticist magazine 'Blast' and the 1988 'Freeze' exhibition
  • Damien Hirst was an instigator of the Freeze exhibition
  • Includes vorticism, Pop art, School of London, New British Sculpture, YBAs
  • Organized by Les Abattoirs museum

Entities

Artists

  • Damien Hirst

Institutions

  • Les Abattoirs

Locations

  • Toulouse
  • France

Sources