The Lightbox gallery and museum in Woking, Surrey is showing the exhibition “Damien Hirst: New Religion” for the first time in the UK outside of London. First exhibited at Paul Stolper Gallery in 2005, is a poignant and confronting exploration of the relationship between science, art, and religion that reflects Hirst’s enduring fascination with the notion of belief.Structured as a fresco cycle surrounding an altar, the exhibition includes 44 silkscreen prints and four sculptures which move from the Creation of the World, through the Stations of the Cross, and towards the Last Judgement. At the centre of the installation is an altarpiece bearing a cross studded with gem-like pills, a child’s skull, a pierced silver heart, and a large carved marble pill.Explaining the inspiration behind the exhibition, Damien Hirst said: ‘‘I was thinking that there are four important things in life: religion, love, art and science... Of them all, science seems to be the one right now. Like religion, it provides the glimmer of hope that maybe it will be all right in the end’’ (Sean O’Hagan, New Religion, 2006).The Director of The Lightbox, Marilyn Scott, said that The Lightbox is very lucky to be showing “New Religion” in light of how difficult it is to secure a Damien Hirst exhibition. “The exhibition is very exciting and was devised by Hirst as one piece that encapsulates many of the key themes that run throughout his work,” she said.“Damien Hirst: New Religion” is at The Lightbox until July 5, 2015Follow @UK_ARTINFO
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