In autumn 2021, Jack White was preparing to open a Third Man Records shop in Soho, London, selling music from his own label and books from his own publishing house. Along with bands The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather, Third Man had been the funnel for much of the singer’s creativity since his seminal garage-rock band, The White Stripes, disbanded in 2011. Damien Hirst’s studio was across the street, and White and his team asked the artist if they could perform from his third-floor balcony for their opening. The guerrilla concert brought the neighbourhood to a standstill; a crowd of thousands sang along to The White Stripes’ driving anthem, “Seven Nation Army”.
Talking to Hirst that week, White shared photos on his phone of sculptures he’d made.
“When’s your next gallery show?” asked Hirst.
“I’ve never done a show,” said White, “never sold a piece.”
“Well, we have this gallery,” said Hirst. “Why don’t we do a show here?”
