The Miraculous Journey

The Miraculous Journey (2005 to 2013) is a series of 14 bronze sculptures by the artist Damien Hirst. The sculptures are situated outside the Sidra Medical and Research Center in Doha, Qatar.[1] The sculptures show the development of a human foetus in the womb, ending with a 46 feet (14 m) tall sculpture of a baby boy.[2] Hirst said that his fascination with childbirth began after the birth of his own children, saying that "Everyone talks about our life's journey, but we have a whole journey before you're born".[2]

The work was originally unveiled in 2013, but was covered up until November 2018.[3] At its 2013 unveiling each sculpture was covered with a balloon that slowly opened to reveal each piece.

The intermediate sculptures vary from 5 metres (16 ft) to 11 metres (36 ft) in height and collectively weigh 216 tonnes,[1] with the final piece reaching a height of 14 metres (46 ft).[4] The piece is believed to have cost $20 million.[2]

The chairperson of Qatar Museums, Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, visited Hirst's studio in Gloucestershire, England, and was shown drawings from 2005 that Hirst had made of prenatal development. Hirst had intended them to be monumental sculptures, and Al-Mayassa imagined situating them in front of the Sidra Medical Center.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b Hannah Clugston (19 November 2018). "Damien Hirst's gigantic uteruses are a bold correction to shocking ignorance". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d Carol Vogel (7 October 2013). "Art, From Conception to Birth in Qatar". The New York Times. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  3. ^ "Damien Hirst delivers controversy with giant uterus sculptures at Qatar hospital". The Guardian. 19 November 2018. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  4. ^ "The Miraculous Journey by Damien Hirst". Qatar Museums. Retrieved 5 February 2025.

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