EDEN CONFIDENTIAL: Damien Hirst canvas puts the art world in a spin

There has long been an element of doubt as to the level of Damien Hirst’s actual involvement in his art, but his latest project surely takes the biscuit — with the 57-year-old using technology to do the work for him.

In 1975, as a nine-year-old, he became fascinated by an episode of the children’s TV show Blue Peter, featuring host John Noakes creating colourful artwork from a motorised cardboard spinning machine, known as spin painting, and Hirst has been producing them for the past three decades.

His latest venture uses ‘generative and machine learning algorithms’ effectively to allow fans to design their own.

Using one of 25 templates made by Hirst, those wanting to buy a painting are required to choose their ‘own combination of colours, styles, shapes, sizes and mediums’ to create a unique piece, which will then be hand-signed by him and printed on canvas to be posted to the buyer in physical form, or produced digitally.

And they don’t come cheap: a painting 100cm in diameter will set the buyer back almost £5,000.

‘I am beyond excited to release my new project, The Beautiful Paintings, which uses a generative algorithm and machine learning to create spin artworks,’ he says.

‘I have created 25 different spin styles and other options you can choose from to generate unique artworks; if you like what you make, you can buy the artwork as a physical or digital piece.

‘I will sign all the canvases in paint on the front. Who knows where all this will lead, but I am so blown away by what I have created using this tech to push the boundaries and create these beautiful artworks. I have called the series The Beautiful Paintings, for obvious reasons.’

With an estimated fortune of £300 million, Hirst, the world’s richest artist, became notorious for employing a factory of assistants to help create mass-produced works.

A wrap for Pattinson and Suki

They’ve been together since 2018, but it’s still rare to see Robert Pattinson and Suki Waterhouse putting on a public display of affection.

The usually private couple were spotted wrapped in each other’s arms as they went for a stroll in Manhattan, New York. Dressed in caps and puffer jackets, they were unnoticed by passers-by.

Suki, 31, who stars in the new Amazon Prime TV series Daisy Jones & The Six, and the 36-year-old The Batman star both hail from the UK, but are believed to have recently purchased their first property together in the Hollywood Hills.

While Amy Winehouse’s father Mitch has endorsed Sam Taylor-Johnson’s forthcoming Back To Black biopic about the late singer, he has voiced disapproval of Eddie Marsan portraying him on screen, suggesting that the actor is not ‘very attractive’.

Rather than take offence, Marsan, 54, agrees with Mitch, 72, and says: ‘If I was playing me I would be offended. I have got a face like a smacked a***.’

After retiring from F1 racing in the late Nineties, Damon Hill had a lot more time on his hands to devote to his passion of playing the guitar.

The 62-year-old 1996 Formula One world champion had once played in a punk band at school, so when he met one of The Beatles, he thought he’d seek an opinion on whether his guitar playing abilities came close to his skills behind the wheel.

Sadly not, it would seem, based on George Harrison’s back-handed compliment. ‘George said that I play guitar about as well as he drives,’ laughs Damon.

Go with the flo as a mermaid

It looks a little fishy, singer Florence Welch lying in the bath and dressed as a mermaid.

The lead vocalist of indie rock band Florence & The Machine shared a video online of her in a blue and gold mermaid tail while reclining in the tub.

The London-born singer, 36, has previously alluded to the importance of her childhood mermaid dreams featuring in her music.

‘I was a slightly uncomfortable child, so to be underwater was to be graceful. It just kind of takes you under, away from something.’

Right you are, love.

Why it’s a dog’s life on the ski slopes

Dog lover James Middleton has offered his top tips for, er, taking your pooch skiing… as you do.

The brother of the Princess of Wales recently treated his golden retriever Mabel to an all-expenses trip to the slopes — and has helpfully shared how to go about doing so for anyone so inclined.

‘Instead of getting ski passes and leaving Mabel behind, she came with us and we walked up the mountains and had lots of fun coming down,’ says the 35-year-old marshmallow and mail order dog food company entrepreneur, who was with his wife Alizee Thevenet.

‘Always bring a first aid kit and a big tub of Vaseline,’ advises Middleton. ‘When rubbed on paws, Vaseline creates a barrier to stop snow sticking to and burning your dog’s pads.

‘Avoid crowded areas and make sure your dog is under control, on a lead where necessary, and always make sure your focus is on your dog’s safety and wellbeing.’

Or… just leave it at home.