Skull Spin Painting (2009) brings Damien Hirst’s Spin Painting technique into the unmistakable form of a human skull.

Bursts of yellow, red and black radiate across the skull-shaped support, while areas of exposed white define the eyes, nose and teeth. The centrifugal movement of the paint creates an energetic surface that contrasts with the instantly recognizable image of the skull.

The work brings together two recurring elements in Hirst’s practice: the use of chance and mechanical processes in his Spin Paintings, and his long-standing exploration of mortality. Here, the skull transforms the spontaneous movement of colour into an image closely associated with death and the fragility of life.

Executed in acrylic on paper, this unique work dates from 2009.