H10-1 Wu Zetian is a laminated giclée print on aluminium composite, screen printed with glitter. The print shows a captivating pattern composed of butterflies, dominated by a bold red with black detailing. The warm print exudes energy and dynamism and the hexagonal pattern, which emanates from the centre of the print, seizes the viewer’s attention.

The print is part of Hirst’s collection H-10 Empresses (2022). This collection contains five impressive gliclée prints, with a variety of patterns. Each print in the series is named after a historical Empress. The name of this print, H10-1 Wu Zetian, refers to the Chinese Empress Wu Zetian who played an important role in the consolidation of the Tang Dynasty. In 655 CE Wu Zetian married the Chinese Emperor, Gaozong. She threw herself into political affairs demonstrating her fierce intelligence, ambition and diplomatic skills.