Damien Hirst accused of plagiarizing artwork concept from classmate
- Hamed Butt created a prototype using live flies in his artwork in 1989.
- Damien Hirst's piece featuring live flies was showcased shortly after Butt’s prototype in 1990.
- The allegations of idea appropriation have sparked discussions on artistic originality and influence.
In the United Kingdom, an exhibition titled 'Apprehensions' has revealed allegations against renowned artist Damien Hirst. It is claimed that Hirst appropriated the idea of using live flies in his iconic artwork, which gained him recognition, from fellow student Hamad Butt while they attended Goldsmiths University. The allegations suggest that Butt developed a prototype featuring flies in 1989, just before Hirst showcased his piece a month later in 1990. Friends and family of Butt assert he felt unhappy due to Hirst’s superior acclaim; while Butt’s earlier works, although less sensational, are noted for their subtler political contexts, in stark contrast to Hirst’s attention-grabbing installations. The claims have drawn renewed interest in Butt's contributions to bio art, overshadowed by Hirst's success, and raised discussions about originality and appropriation within the art community, pushing for recognition of lesser-known artists' influences on prominent figures in contemporary art.