M ark Bridger, 35 a self proclaimed artist from Oxford poured black ink into Away From The Flock a formaldehyde filled tank containing a preserved white lamb.

The work, part of an exhibition curated by Hirst called Some went mad...Some ran away caused considerable controversy for use of the dead animal. Interestingly, Bridger was not protesting against the artwork, instead he claimed to be contributing to it and felt that Hirst would not object to his actions. He named the new work Black Sheep.

He assumed Hirst would have no objections to his act since they were on the 'same creative wavelength'.'To live is to do things, I was providing an interesting addendum to his work. In terms of conceptual art, the sheep had already made its statement. Art is there for creation of awareness and I added to whatever it was meant to say."[1]

The work cost 1,000 pounds to restore. Bridger was found guilty of criminal damage, given a two year conditional discharge and excused from paying a fine due to insufficient funds.

A few years later, Mr. Hirst published an art book featuring an image of the piece. When the reader pulled a tab, the tank and sheep appeared to be covered with blackness, as if ink had been poured into the container. This led Mr. Bridger to sue for copyright infringement.[2] Though it shuld be noted that there are no references as to wether he was succesful in this pursuit.

 

1.Painting Modernism Black
The Guardian, August 19, 1994

2.Flummery Digest
Feb 1996