Damien Hirst was born on the 7th of June 1965 in Bristol and grew up in Leeds. He was refused admission to Leeds College of Art and Design when he first applied, but tried again and was admitted. He worked for two years on London building sites, then studied Fine Art at Goldsmiths, University of London (1986–89), although again he was refused a place the first time he applied. Whilst a student, Hirst had a placement at a mortuary, an experience that influenced his later themes and materials.
