Baby's skull inspiration for art

LONDON, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- British artist Damien Hirst has raised hackles with a diamond-studded skull cast in platinum from a long-deceased child's skull.

The metal skull art, which is covered with more than 8,100 diamonds, is called "For Heaven's Sake," The Daily Telegraph reports. Hirst acquired the child's skull from which he drew inspiration when he bought a 19th-century pathology collection. It's believed to be that of a baby who died at the age of two weeks.

Sally Russell, founder of a mothering advice group, Netmums, is not a fan, saying the sight of the cast metal skull, while not the baby's skull itself, is likely to upset bereaved parents.

"Mr. Hirst may not have intended to be insensitive, but it will have a profound effect on many people who will find the subject deeply disturbing," she said.

Jude Tyrell, director of Science Ltd., Hirst's art production company, defends "For Heaven's Sake," which will be exhibited at the Gagosian Gallery in Hong Kong this month and in London later this year.

"Of course it's a delicate subject, but this is from an old collection, which we think is Victorian, and they were obsessed with collecting all sorts of bizarre things," she said. "I'm a mother, and I do find it slightly odd and strange to look at, but at the same time quite beautiful."

In 2007, Hirst created "For the Love of God," an adult skull covered in diamonds and described as the largest diamond object created since the British crown jewels.

Hirst, 45, began his career with an installation featuring a rotting cow's head.