Damien Hirst’s Renowned Formaldehyde Sculptures Face Scrutiny Over Artwork Dating

One of Damien Hirst’s most recognised works — a formaldehyde-preserved tiger shark divided into three sections and suspended in fluid at the Palm Hotel and Resort in Las Vegas — has become the latest focus of debate surrounding the dating of his art. Her Fine Art

Recent reporting by The Guardian has challenged long-held assumptions about the creation dates of several of Hirst’s animal sculptures. Although these pieces have traditionally been attributed to the 1990s — the era in which Hirst rose to prominence — evidence suggests they may have been produced much more recently. Specifically, the shark installation in Las Vegas, often dated to 1999, appears to have been made in 2017. Her Fine Art

This Las Vegas work is not the first formaldehyde piece to be questioned; other sculptures including Cain and Abel, Myth Explored, Explained, Exploded, and Dove — featuring preserved calves, a shark and a bird respectively — were first displayed at a 2017 solo exhibition in Hong Kong labelled as “early to mid-1990s” works. Her Fine Art

In response to the coverage, Hirst’s production company, Science Ltd., stated that the dates the artist assigns to his formaldehyde works reflect when he conceived the ideas, not when the physical objects were manufactured. The company reiterated that, as conceptual artworks, these pieces are dated according to artistic intention rather than strict chronological creation. Her Fine Art

Hirst’s legal representatives reinforced this point, noting that there is no definitive industry standard governing how conceptual artworks should be dated, and that artists may legitimately use different conventions. Her Fine Art

The Guardian articles, and the broader discussion they have sparked, have reignited scrutiny of Hirst’s practice and reputation. A prominent critic cited in the original reports has publicly suggested that the controversy casts new light on how audiences and institutions understand Hirst’s legacy and artistic transparency. Her Fine Art