Mickey Mouse by Damien Hirst Background & Meaning

Inspired by the ubiquitous cartoon character, Hirst’s Mickey Mouse prints were commissioned by Disney in 2016 to be rendered in his signature style. The series originated through a commission, as Hirst was asked by Disney to remake Mickey Mouse in his signature artistic style. Other artists, such asAndy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and Claes Oldenburg have also produced artworks inspired by the popular cartoon character.

Staying true to his visual language and style, in these prints, Mickey and Minnie Mouse are rendered in the style of a spot painting, with large circles in bright and bold colours being used to compose the characters’ bodies. The incorporation of spots is a signature feature of Hirst’s visual language, as evidenced by his impressive Spot series and Hirst was clearly influenced by the Pointillist movement and their style of painting in which small, distinct dots were used to create large paintings. Hirst explains why he chose to compose Mickey and Minnie Mouse using a variety of different sized spots, elaborating: 'Mickey Mouse represents happiness and the joy of being a kid and I have reduced his shape down to the basic elements of a few simple spots. I hope people love it, because it is still instantly recognisable - Mickey is such a universal and powerful icon.'

Mickey Mouse has become an icon of cartoon and consumer culture, closely associated with the United States and globalisation. By using such a universally recognised figure as the central inspiration for this series of prints, Hirst blurs the boundaries between high and low culture, transforming a symbol of popular culture into a work of fine art. The influence of Warhol and the Pop Art movement is apparent in this aspect of Hirst’s work. Warhol was for producing prints of everyday objects and consumer goods, such as high heel shoes or Campbell’s Soup cans and demanding they be viewed as works of art.

Discussing the symbolism of Mickey Mouse, Hirst explains that the character, and his lifelong companion Minnie are timeless icons. The cartoons have remained ingrained in society's collective cultural consciousness and mean the same in the 21st century as they did decades ago. Hirst elaborates 'the thing about Mickey is that even though he’s gone through so many shifts in form and association, he’s timeless.'

Inspired by the iconic, Disney motif, Damien Hirst’s Mickey Mouse prints do not compromise the artist’s own personal style. Inherently modern and directly employing Hirst’s signature dots to suggest an image we know so well - the Mickey prints are particularly popular on the market.

In 2014, Damien Hirst's 2012 work Mickey, was auctioned at Christie's realising a price of £902,500. The funds went to support the charity Kids Company. Hirst began working on the iconic character after being invited by Disney to create a Micky inspired piece in his own unique style.

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10 Facts About Damien Hirst's Mickey Mouse

Hirst's Mickey Mouse series was created after Disney invited the poster boy of the YBAs to create his own spin on their most iconic character. Hirst playfully reinterpreted Mickey using 12 spots, an integral motif in Hirst's oeuvre.

When we think of the name Disney, Mickey Mouse immediately springs to mind. Likewise, the name Damien Hirst is almost synonymous with his iconic Spot paintings. Unlike the simple grid-like patterns of his Spots paintings, Hirst used spots in his Mickey Mouse series to delineate the legendary cartoon character.

For Hirst, the magic of Mickey Mouse lies in his timeless appeal. Hirst remarked in interviews that his own children watch and enjoy the Disney character just as he did as a boy. As Hirst reflected, “the thing about Mickey is that even though he’s gone through so many shifts in form and association, he’s timeless.”