Godfrey Barker on the Hirst Sale Results

Newsweek has a brief item on the Hirst results:

But is Hirst’s work really recession proof—especially given the susceptibility of his pieces to decomposition? “This sale has proved that Hirst is a safe return,” says art-market expert Godfrey Barker. “The superrich need somewhere to put their money, and they’re pouring it into art. We are entering a world where art is trusted above real estate and General Motors.” Along those lines, Hirst plans to invest his new millions in modern masters like Francis Bacon—though it might not hurt to hang on to a few of his own commodity-encrusted creations, too.

Also of Interest:

• Today in Damien Hirst: The Anticipation
  Godrey Barker Has the Last Word; Anders Petterson Doesn’t Really Disagree. Godfrey Barker has a fine summary of the stakes...
  
• Today in Damien Hirst: The Prediction
  With Only A Few Hours Until the Sale . . . . Late on Friday, Josh Baer sent out his...
  
• Hirst and the Economy
  Portfolio Tries to Write a Story on the Hirst Auction and the Economy It’s not clear why Portfolio would expect...
  
• Hirst Hysterics
  Damien Hirst bashing is turning into a silly sport. First, we had Hirst as peevish scrooge because he was suing...
  
• Today in Damien Hirst: The Exhibitions
  From Mumbai to Bridgehampton, the reactions from the Hirst exhibitions have been revealing–and positive. The Indian press is getting its...