At Creative Class Studio, each month we spotlight a celebrated contemporary artist to inspire young creators. This month, we’re exploring the imaginative world of Damien Hirst — one of the most influential living artists known for his vibrant colors, thought-provoking and intricate designs and his obsession with butterflies.
Hirst’s longstanding series, The Kaleidoscopes, features stunning butterfly mosaics arranged in symmetrical, kaleidoscope-like patterns. These works reflect themes of beauty, transformation, and the ephemeral nature of life — all through the delicate wings of butterflies. He crafts a mesmerizing visual journey through rich mosaic patterns, capturing the vibrant fragility and ethereal charm of butterflies.
Nature has always been a focal point of Hirst’s work since the beginning of his journey as a student at Goldsmiths School of Art; his work shows his fascination on the relationship between art, science, life, religion, and beauty.
In an article with the Guardian when asked if he was obsessed with butterflies he said, “I’ve always liked that kind of natural history. I’m interested, first of all, in the fact they all look alive when they’re dead. They represent the soul.”
In this communal workshop, children can take inspiration from Hirst’s art and then create their own butterfly-inspired mosaic masterpieces. Using colorful materials, they’ll glue hand-selected mosaic pieces onto acrylic panels, carefully forming the shape of a butterfly. The result? A beautiful, personalized artwork that captures the spirit of Hirst’s vision — and celebrates each child’s creativity.
This immersive project is designed to spark imagination, introduce children to contemporary art concepts, and offer a moment of calm, screen-free creation and revel in the awe of nature.
Like a kaleidoscope’s ever-changing display of color and form, Hirst’s work draws viewers into a dynamic, immersive dialogue with the art. We can’t wait to see where their creativity takes flight!
