«The Miraculous Journey» by Damien Hirst

Outside Sidra Hospital in Doha (Qatar), a sculptural installation by British artist Damien Hirst has been unveiled. Fourteen bronze figures depict the development of a human embryo from conception to birth.

First presented to the public in 2013, the artwork sparked intense debate. Many found the explicit representation of the uterus provocative in a country where women’s bodies are traditionally concealed under the niqab.

Human rights organizations hope Hirst’s work will help bring attention to—and foster constructive dialogue around—existing issues in Muslim-majority societies, particularly women’s rights. At the same time, some worry that the sculptures, which celebrate the female body’s ability to give birth to a healthy child, could be distressing to hospital patients struggling with infertility.

Damien Hirst has said he was inspired to create «The Miraculous Journey» by his own experience of becoming a father.

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