Openings: Damien Hirst – “End of an Era” @ Gagosian Gallery (Madison Avenue)

This past Saturday night, AM had the chance to tag along with British contemporary icon Damien Hirst at his opening at the Gagosian Gallery (Madison Ave). As stated in our preview, the show titled “End of an Era” was exactly that – an end to a highly notable period of Damien’s infamously publicized career where he made headlines with awe-inspiring and highly controversial achievements in the art world. This show contained the last of many prime examples of the British Bad Boy’s most renowned and infamous works – important iconic achievements such as his “Spot”, “Spin”, “Butterfly”, and “Self” paintings as well as his “Formaldehyde Sculptures”, “Butterfly Dioramas”, and “Pharmaceutical Installations”.

Not surprisingly, many art and entertainment A-listers came out to see Damien’s “End of and Era” including U2’s Bono, Rolling Stone’s Mick Jagger, Takashi Murakami, Jeffrey Deitch, Terry Richardson, James Franco, John Waters and John McEnroe to name a few. More after the jump.

Everyone was in a playful mood as Damien drew a shark for us, followed by Bono, Murakami and Terry Richardson joining in the ad hoc doodling session. (Thanks guys!)

Photos by Joe Russo (AM-NY)
Discuss Damien Hirst here. Discuss this show here.