Hirst lights up dark image
Published on: 20-Nov-2007
Controversial contemporary artist Damien Hirst - known for his dark creativity - is about to bring a little light into his studios.The Turner prize-winning Hirst, famous for his bisected cow and calf creation, is going to splash out on the country's second biggest solar power system, according to the Western Daily Press.
Specialist firms are reported to have been asked to bid for the contract, which includes 1,800 sq m of solar panels - only the Co-operative Society Tower in Manchester has more.
It is estimated that the power generated by the panels, to be installed above his Gloucestershire workshops, would be enough to keep 150 homes going.
Green campaigners are hoping the publicity generated by Hirst forking out around £1.5 million on the system will persuade people to fit solar panels.
Dave Timms, from Friends of the Earth, told the paper: "He will probably do more to boost confidence in the UK solar industry than the government has."
The prime minister, Gordon Brown, yesterday said the government was committed to making Britain a world leader in the battle against global warming with a "technical revolution".
Can't find art to match your decor? You can now...
