“Realising his British clientele can no longer soak up the quantity of art that he produces, Hirst is tapping the wider international market. He is putting 223 other works up for sale at Sotheby’s next month in his first sale of newly produced art at a major auction house. Hirst has opted for the auction house route partly because the commission is lower than the 40% often levied by galleries. He has also said that galleries can be “snobby” towards possible customers and “look down” on them.”