Damien Hirst's 'naked' uterus sculptures unveiled at Qatar hospital

The British artist said it was "brave" of Doha to commission the "Middle East's first naked sculpture".

2 min read

21 November, 2018

"The Miraculous Journey" ends in a 14 metre naked baby [Getty]

Damien Hirst's giant uterus sculptures have appeared at the entrance of a new hospital in Qatar, which the artist claimed are the "first naked sculptures in the Middle East".

A series of 14 bronze sculptures named "The Miraculous Journey", charting the gestation of a foetus and ending in a 14 metre newborn, has been unveiled at the newly opened $8 billion Sidra Medicine hospital in Doha.

The work was first installed five years ago, and were then
covered up. The official line was to protect them during the hospital's construction, though many believe they were hidden from public view after a social media outcry.

British artist Hirst acknowledged that his sculptures could be controversial, owing to "cultural differences".

"You know in England, there wouldn't be a problem with a naked baby, you see the embryo and the egg and sperm," he told website Doha News in 2013.

"You know, culturally, it's the first naked sculpture in the Middle East ... It's very brave" of Qatar to commission it, he said.

"We believe it reflects very much the mission of Sidra, taking care of the healthcare of woman and babies," said Layla Ibrahim Bacha, art specialist with the government-supported Qatar Foundation, which owns most of the modern art collection at the Sidra.

"I think it's perfect for the location, as you can see a lot of people are taking pictures, I think its becoming iconic."

Among the 65 works at the speciality facility for children's and women's health are pieces by high-profile international names including Tracey Emin, and artists from across the Arab world, including Qatar.

Energy-rich Qatar has become a major buyer of contemporary art.

It is seeking to portray itself as one of the most progressive states in the region against the backdrop of a bitter standoff with Gulf rivals led by Saudi Arabia.

Agencies contributed to this report.

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