Quotes from Damien Hirst

The idea of being a painter, I've always thought, is better than being an artist or a sculptor.

I think I've always been afraid of painting, really. Right from the beginning. All my paintings are about painting without a painter. Like a kind of mechanical form of painting.

That's the great thing about art. Anybody can do it if you just believe. With practice, you can make great paintings.

'Painting like a child' isn't a negative for me... it's something only great artists can really achieve. The childlike quality of some of Picasso's drawings is precisely what makes them so masterful and extraordinary; the ability to express complete visions, feelings and portraits through a continuous line.

I used to believe I was going to live forever. And then you suddenly become aware that you're not.

I always feel a bit trapped when a painting goes for millions of pounds and only one person can have it. If you can have that as well as a poster on every student's wall, then you're in a very enviable position. I'd like to do a Damien Hirst for £500 at some point.

When it comes to the British monarchy, I prefer to be seduced by an image than presented with a real person. It's kind of a Warhol thing.

I've had laser eye surgery and I don't wear glasses any more, so people just go, 'You're not Damien Hirst.' I don't get recognized on the street.

I think money is important for everyone, because the lack of it is so painful.

I mean, people listen to music, and they like that, but I think in England, a lot of people don't like contemporary art.

I don't think I'd want my pet in formaldehyde, but I guess in America they would.

Painting is so poetic, while sculpture is more logical and scientific and makes you worry about gravity.

I have always been aware that you have to get people listening before you can change their minds. Any artist's big fear is being ignored, so if you get debate, that's great.

You've really got to get down on the floor with yourself and get low in order to make great art. I think you've just got to accept who you are and do the most unbelievable things.

Great art - or good art - is when you look at it, experience it and it stays in your mind. I don't think conceptual art and traditional art are all that different.

The spot paintings and spin paintings were trying to find mechanical ways to make paintings.

Making art, good art, is always a struggle. It can make you happy when you pull it off. There's no better feeling. It's beauteous. But it's always about hard work and inspiration and sweat and good ideas.

Most people live in the city and go to the country at the weekend, and that's posh and aristocratic, but actually to live in the country and come to London when you can't take it any more is different.

I've been asked to do a retrospective since I was about 28 and I always thought that was a bit odd. It's great to look forward as an artist because in the future the possibilities are infinite; you look back and it's all fixed so it's a scary thing.

I think I like big issues, but I don't believe in God or religion.

Museums are for dead artists. I'd never show my work in the Tate. You'd never get me in that place.

I like the confusion you get between science and religion … that's where belief lies and art as well.

I think suicide is the most perfect thing you can do in life.

Whenever I've been well-known or hitting the press, I've always had to get my credit card out to prove I'm Damien Hirst.