Damien Hirst is embracing AI with a new collection of artworks. Introducing The Beautiful Paintings, a series of swirly AI-generated pieces, Hirst has posted footage of himself online in which he kisses a canvas and tells the camera: “I love art. Look at this. Oh my God. I really love art.” He strokes another piece and asks: “How can you not love this little cutie?” How much will collectors have to pay? The works, all hand-signed, start at $1,500 a pop.
Physical editions, all hand-signed, start at $1,500 for small version, rising to $6,000 for extra-large 100 cm diameter versions, plus any applicable taxes. Digital only “NFT” versions of The Beautiful Paintings are priced at $2,000 each.
Lord Austin says Sir Keir owes an apology
Sir Keir Starmer hoped to see the back of Jeremy Corbyn when he purged him from Labour last week. But others have longer memories. Former Labour MP Ian Austin says Sir Keir “must apologise for his personal role in supporting” Corbyn and that he should have expelled his predecessor long ago. “He does need to account for his support for Corbyn’s leadership,” writes Austin in The Jewish Chronicle.
Sunak bounces back
The Prime Minister is enjoying a poll bounce, among Tory members if not the public at large. A regular survey by Conservative Home shows that Rishi Sunak is now one of the most popular members of the Cabinet among party members, whereas earlier this year he was one of the least. It seems Sunak has managed to break free from association with the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, who still languishes at the bottom.
Mescal mania at Albert Hall
Paul Mescal looked chuffed with his Best Actor trophy at the Olivier Awards last night. Backstage at the Royal Albert Hall, he posed with fellow actor Aimee Lou Wood and last year’s best actress winner Sheila Atim, who handed him his award. Sheridan Smith and Suzy Eddie Izzard were also spotted backstage before they presented the Best Revival award. In the West End, actor Miriam-Teak Lee and presenter Myleene Klass attended the All England Dance Centenary Gala at the London Coliseum.
