Hirst Skull Art For Russia

Bloomberg reports that Damien Hirst's $100 million diamond and platinum skull will go on show in May at the State Hermitage Museum in Russia, where a boom in metals and oil has spawned wealthy new art collectors. The skull, studded with 8,601 diamonds and weighing 1,106.18 carats, will be shown as part of the St. Petersburg-based museum's international contemporary art project, 20/21, which is being launched at the end of October. A planned world tour for the skull would "probably start in about six months time,'' Hirst said in an interview. "We might even start it at the Hermitage.'' Auction houses and some art dealers are reaching deeper into Russia for new customers with tours of art and shows. The country is in its ninth year of economic growth, in large part driven by global demand for oil, gas and metals. Rich Russians are purchasing art for reasons that range from investment to home decorating, as well as a love of art. Hirst is among artists who have benefited from an 11-year boom in art prices, helped by demand from countries such as Russia, that has quadrupled values for the most expensive contemporary works. While Hirst probably won't make another skull, the artist said "maybe I'll make a diamond knee-cap.'' Hirst said he also made three diamond jaws, and is not sure if they have been sold. Hirst became the auction world's priciest living artist in June, overtaking Jasper Johns and Lucian Freud at a Sotheby's art auction in London. A telephone bidder paid 9.7 million pounds ($19.3 million) including commission for one of his pill cabinets, "Lullaby Spring.'' Hirst, 42, is the U.K.'s wealthiest artist. He has a fortune valued earlier this year at 130 million pounds by the London-based Sunday Times. Hirst also is represented in London and New York by Gagosian. (For full source and full article click the Headline). Irish Art