Damien Hirst's First Mexican Retrospective at Museo Jumex Showcases Iconic Works Through August

Damien Hirst's inaugural retrospective in Mexico occupies all three floors of Museo Jumex in Mexico City, presenting a comprehensive survey of his career through August 25. The exhibition features seminal series including 'Natural History' with formaldehyde-preserved animals like sharks, sheep, and cows, alongside 'Dot Paintings,' 'Butterfly Paintings,' and 'Cherry Blossoms.' Notable works on view include 'Mother and Child (Divided)' from 1993, 'For the Love of God' (2007) — the diamond-encrusted platinum skull — and 'Theology, Philosophy, Medicine, Justice' (2008). Early pieces such as 'Stimulants (and the Way They Affect the Mind and Body)' (1991) and 'Away from the Flock' (1994) demonstrate Hirst's longstanding engagement with themes of mortality. The show's scale and opulent presentation, including 'Tears of Joy Wallpaper' (2011) and 'Judgement Day' (2009) — a gold-plated cabinet with 30,000 crystals — evoke a pre-pandemic blockbuster aesthetic. Large crowds have been drawn to the museum, reflecting continued public fascination with Hirst's work despite its association with extreme wealth. The retrospective traces an evolution from Hirst's early gothic explorations of death to later, more ostentatious productions, suggesting a narrative about art's transformation into a symbol of aspirational immortality for elite collectors.