‘Verity’ by Damien Hirst

Verity, Ilfracombe – Damien Hirst’s Monumental Harbour Sculpture

Standing proudly at the entrance to Ilfracombe Harbour, Verity is one of the town’s most striking and talked-about landmarks. Towering at 66 feet (20 metres) high, this dramatic stainless steel and bronze sculpture was created by internationally renowned British artist Damien Hirst and has become an unmistakable feature of Ilfracombe’s seafront skyline.

Verity is an easy highlight on many harbour walks in Ilfracombe, making it the perfect starting point for exploring the town’s historic waterfront on foot.

Positioned on Ilfracombe Pier and gazing out across the Bristol Channel towards South Wales, Verity greets visitors arriving by land or sea and provides a powerful focal point for the harbour area. The sculpture has been loaned to Ilfracombe for a 20-year period, having been installed in October 2012.

A modern allegory of truth and justice

The name Verity comes from the Latin word for “truth”, and Damien Hirst has described the work as a “modern allegory of truth and justice.” The sculpture depicts a pregnant woman holding the scales of justice in one hand and raising a sword skywards in the other, while standing atop a stack of law books.

One side of the figure reveals the internal anatomy of the woman, with muscles, organs and the unborn foetus clearly visible. This dual presentation — external form and internal structure — reflects Hirst’s long-standing fascination with anatomy, science and the nature of truth beneath the surface.

The pose of the figure is widely regarded as a contemporary reference to Edgar Degas’ Little Dancer of Fourteen Years, a sculpture that previously influenced Hirst’s earlier work Virgin Mother. In Verity, classical references are fused with modern materials and themes, creating a piece that feels both ancient and contemporary.

From installation to icon

On Tuesday 16 October 2012, Verity was hoisted into place on Ilfracombe Pier, drawing large crowds and immediate attention. Since then, the sculpture has sparked national and international debate, attracting art lovers, curious visitors and photographers from around the world.

Love it or question it, Verity has undeniably helped place Ilfracombe firmly on the cultural map, becoming one of the most recognisable public artworks in the South West and a key part of the town’s identity.

Today, Verity is a popular stop on harbour walks, coastal path adventures and photography trips, offering ever-changing views depending on the light, tide and weather.