Damien Hirst splits from top New York gallery dealer

Damien Hirst, Britain’s wealthiest artist, has parted from the world’s richest gallery dealer.

The artist, 47, is parting company with Larry Gagosian, the hard-nosed and influential American gallerist who has represented him outside the UK since he won the Turner Prize in 1995. British fans will still be able to see Hirst’s work at the White Cube gallery as Jay Jopling remains his Britishrepresentative.

Hirst, pictured, has proved a canny manager of his own business but the split from Gagosian will raise questions about what he plans to do in the New York market. Gagosian has another 11 galleries around the world and his turnover this year was estimated at $925 million by Forbes magazine. The Sunday Times rich list has estimated Hirst’s fortune at £215 million.

A spokeswoman at the artist’s company, Science Ltd, said: “Larry Gagosian and Damien have reached an amicable decision to part company.”

In a statement, the Gagosian gallery said: “It has been a great honour to work with Damien over the last 17 years. We wish him continued success for the future.”