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Large scale Damien Hirst spin portrait of the late music icon George Michael | Modern & Contemporary Art | Wednesday 11 March 2026
On Wednesday 11 March, we are delighted to present our Modern & Contemporary Art auction, featuring a striking large-scale spin portrait by Damien Hirst, depicting the late music icon George Michael (1963-2016).
Hirst began experimenting with spin paintings in 1992 and exhibited them for the first time in 1994. Inspired by the child’s toy which spread paint over a spinning surface, Hirst created an apparatus that uses centrifugal force to spread paint over a spinning surface. The speed of the rotation, the length of time the surface was spun, the viscosity and flow of the paint and the endless choice of pigment, allowed a limitless source of variation. Their exuberant, bold energy makes them immediately recognisable. Over time the act of creating them became part of the art, with Hirst not just producing them in his studio but doing so publicly at events and even encouraging the public to create their own versions. They form part of the artist’s wider investigation into repetition, detachment and seriality, which the artist also explores to very different effect in his spot paintings.
The present large-scale spin portrait of the late music icon George Michael (1963-2016) was painted by Damien Hirst for the Goss-Michael Foundation (founded in 2007 by the late singer and his former partner Kenny Goss to raise funds for the arts and education) to sell at the 2017 MTV RE:DEFINE charity auction in Dallas, Texas. The annual event is held to raise funds for the HIV and AIDS prevention, as well as for arts initiatives.
Damien Hirst and The Young British Artists
George Michael with Kenny Goss, formed a notable collection of works by the leading artists of the YBAs (the Young British Artists), including Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, Mark Quinn, Jake and Dinos Chapman, Sarah Lucas and Angus Fairhurst amongst others. As well as works by other leading artists including Andy Warhol, Michael Craig-Martin, Anthony Gormley and Bridget Riley. As Kenny Goss, noted, the appeal of the work by some of the worlds most influential artists lay in ‘The YBAs’ openness and honesty about life, death and sex [which] were a huge part of his world’.
Damien Hirst is arguably the leading light of the YBAs, the loose group of artists, nearly all of whom studied at Goldsmiths College in the late 1980s under Martin Craig Martin, who led the degree course between 1974 and 1988. The group first came to prominence in 1988 when Hirst organised an exhibition of fellow art students work at the Old Fire Station in Surrey Docks, London. Their work is characterised by their use of unconventional materials and shock tactics, often tackling controversial subjects and pushing the boundaries of the wider art world.
A Global Icon
George Michael was born in North London, in 1963, He formed one half of the pop duo Wham, with his school friend Andrew Ridgeley. The two met aged just 12, when George and his family moved to Hertfordshire. Although relatively short lived, Wham, was one of the most influential pop groups of the 1980s. They first appeared on Top of the Pops in November 1982 and over the subsequent four years sold over 30 million records. Following their amicable break up and final concert in June 1986, George Michael went on to have a glittering solo career, which cemented his reputation as global icon of popular culture.
“George Michael is one of the only artists who unite people of any age.” - Nick Grimshaw
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Auction Details
Wednesday 11 March, 10.30am GMT
Dreweatts, Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE
Bidding is available in person at our salerooms, online, by telephone or you can leave commission (absentee) bids.
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Viewing:
Dreweatts London (highlights): 16-17 Pall Mall, SW1Y 5LU
- Friday 27 February: 10am-4pm
- Monday 2 March: 10am-4pm
- Tuesday 3 March: 10am-7pm
Dreweatts Newbury (full sale): Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE
- Saturday 7 March: 10am-3pm
- Sunday 8 March: 10am-3pm
- Monday 9 March: 10am-4pm
- Tuesday 10 March: 10am-4pm
Further Information:
General enquiries: + 44 (0) 1635 553 553 | pictures@dreweatts.com
Press enquiries: press@dreweatts.com
