Hirst Pencils Worth More When Left UnSharpened

POST BY PADDY JOHNSON

Image via: Daily Mail

Until yesterday, 17 Year old graffiti artist Cartrain was on bail for stealing a box of pencils from art star Damien Hirst. We’re still waiting for the update on this story, but the original theft was reportedly an act revenge. Prompted by a copyright complaint lodged by Hirst that eventually cost Cartrain £200 and his collages based on the artist’s diamond encrusted skull, Cartrain put together the following demand for the pencils:

‘For the safe return of Damien Hirst’s pencils I would like my artworks back that DACS and Hirst took off me in November.
It’s not a large demand. Hirst has until the end of this month to resolve this or on July 31 the pencils will be sharpened. He has been warned.’

Notably, the Hirst pencils were part of his Pharmacy display at The Tate Modern in London and are actually worth £500,000 (unsharpened). I suppose we can add this item to the growing list of costly, banal art objects prompting public outrage.

http://c-monster.net/ C-Mon
he should not only sharpen them, but chew them a bit…
http://c-monster.net/ C-Mon
he should not only sharpen them, but chew them a bit…
http://ghostfuk3r.com ghostfuk3r
Can’t believe Hirst went after a 17 year old graf artist on copyright charges for a collage in the first place. What a wanker. Be careful what you wish for Damien, cultural payback can be a bitch.
http://ghostfuk3r.com ghostfuk3r
Can’t believe Hirst went after a 17 year old graf artist on copyright charges for a collage in the first place. What a wanker. Be careful what you wish for Damien, cultural payback can be a bitch.
http://ghostfuk3r.com ghostfuk3r
Can’t believe Hirst went after a 17 year old graf artist on copyright charges for a collage in the first place. What a wanker. Be careful what you wish for Damien, cultural payback can be a bitch.
http://www.artfagcity.com Art Fag City
@ghostfuk3r I know right? And for £200? The first word out of my mouth when I read that was “douchebag”.
http://www.artfagcity.com Art Fag City
@ghostfuk3r I know right? And for £200? The first word out of my mouth when I read that was “douchebag”.
charles
£500,000 for a box of pencils? That is hilariously stupid. Who did the Tate have insure this “work”?
charles
£500,000 for a box of pencils? That is hilariously stupid. Who did the Tate have insure this “work”?
http://alifeasart.blogspot.com/ Adam
First of all let me say that I am fan of Hirst. Throughout his oeuvre he has again challenged and blurred the lines between art, science, life, and most recently institutions. Like Rauschenberg and Kaprow did. But eventually like these artists, I think Hirst’s time in the spotlight is waning, his art is becoming less involved and about these facets (or they are getting stale) and he is making a desperate attempt to go after anyone he thinks is a threat. But a 17 year old? Hirst never seemed like a “nice guy,” but now he is just a jerk.
http://alifeasart.blogspot.com/ Adam
First of all let me say that I am fan of Hirst. Throughout his oeuvre he has again challenged and blurred the lines between art, science, life, and most recently institutions. Like Rauschenberg and Kaprow did. But eventually like these artists, I think Hirst’s time in the spotlight is waning, his art is becoming less involved and about these facets (or they are getting stale) and he is making a desperate attempt to go after anyone he thinks is a threat. But a 17 year old? Hirst never seemed like a “nice guy,” but now he is just a jerk.
http://ghostfuk3r.com ghostfuk3r
@AFC – u took the words right out of my mouth!
i’m sure a lot of people have already scoped this site, but since it’s back in the news again – here’s a link to the “red rag to a bull” page where artists made their own collages (and put them up for sale) as a cheeky protest to Damien being a complete douche…
http://redragtoabull.com/acatalog/Books.html
proceeds go to repay the “street urchin” artist his 200 quid.
Crispy
It’s only worth it if someone wants to pay that for them. And if someone wants to pay 500 pounds for some fucking pencils, then they’re an idiot.
http://ghostfuk3r.com ghostfuk3r
@AFC – u took the words right out of my mouth!
i’m sure a lot of people have already scoped this site, but since it’s back in the news again – here’s a link to the “red rag to a bull” page where artists made their own collages (and put them up for sale) as a cheeky protest to Damien being a complete douche…
http://redragtoabull.com/acatalog/Books.html
proceeds go to repay the “street urchin” artist his 200 quid.
Crispy
It’s only worth it if someone wants to pay that for them. And if someone wants to pay 500 pounds for some fucking pencils, then they’re an idiot.
paper apostle
Any mention of that ridiculously tacky opulent skull makes me so angry. Does anyone have a source showing what these pencils look like?
@C-Mon he should definitely chew on them
paper apostle
Any mention of that ridiculously tacky opulent skull makes me so angry. Does anyone have a source showing what these pencils look like?
@C-Mon he should definitely chew on them
A.D. Nix
Here’s to the aggressively branded artist – may he remain as humorless as the Pepsi corporation, as litigious as Nike Inc., and his art as relevant as a box of Johnson & Johnson band-aids.
“I’m going to sharpen your pencils” is officially the best threat of the year.
A.D. Nix
Here’s to the aggressively branded artist – may he remain as humorless as the Pepsi corporation, as litigious as Nike Inc., and his art as relevant as a box of Johnson & Johnson band-aids.
“I’m going to sharpen your pencils” is officially the best threat of the year.