Hiscox Sheds Light On Extraordinary Collectors
Hiscox announces major sponsorship of Damien Hirst's own collection at the Serpentine Gallery and opens up the Hiscox Collection to the public

2 November 2006: Hiscox, the specialist insurer, is helping the public to explore the mind and eclectic tastes of Damien Hirst through an exclusive sponsorship of a new exhibition featuring his personal collection of art and unusual objects at Serpentine Gallery this autumn. At the same time, an exhibition featuring some of the strongest pieces of the Hiscox collection will be held at Hiscox Art Projects, Hiscox's public art gallery in its City office.

The Serpentine exhibition, entitled Murderme Collection: In The Darkest Hour, Let There Be Light (25 November - 28 January), will feature work by many leading contemporary artists including Sarah Lucas, Tracey Emin, Banksy and Angus Fairhurst, as well as rare objects ranging from skulls, medical instruments, and paintings by unknown artists from across the centuries.

Driven by its Chairman Robert Hiscox, the insurance company has long championed British art and supported artists through its corporate collection, sponsorship of exhibitions and its own exhibition space. As a specialist insurer, Hiscox was one of the first in the UK to offer cover for artworks as a stand-alone insurance class and the company began collecting art over forty years ago. Hiscox believes in supporting initiatives that encourage and inspire collectors of all levels to build their own unique collections.

For the exhibition at Hiscox Art Projects, Robert Hiscox will select the strongest pieces from the Hiscox collection to showcase . The two exhibitions provide a fascinating insight into the collecting acumen and perspectives of Damien Hirst and Robert Hiscox as collectors. The exhibition at Hiscox Art Projects will run from 27 November 2006 - 2 February 2007.

Hiscox Art Projects will feature artists including Damien Hirst, Abigail Lane, John Virtue, Gavin Turk, Michael Craig-Martin, Paul Fryer, Kasimir Malevich, Ivan Kluin, Keith Coventry, Gregory Crewdson and Cecily Brown. Hiscox's curator Elliot McDonald in collaboration with Robert Hiscox, is constantly seeking out new artists and artworks to add to the collection.


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For further information including images please contact:

Jessica Blomfield
Kallaway
020 7221 7883
jessica.blomfield@kallaway.co.uk

Anna Cusden
Kallaway
020 7221 7883
anna.cusden@kallaway.co.uk

For further general information about Hiscox Art Projects please contact:
Elliot McDonald
Hiscox
020 7448 6455
elliot.mcdonald@hiscox.com



For further information, go to www.hiscox.com/artprojects

About Hiscox plc
Hiscox plc is a specialist insurance group listed on the London Stock Exchange. There are three main underwriting parts of the Group - Hiscox Global Markets, Hiscox UK and Europe, and Hiscox International. Hiscox Global Markets underwrites mainly internationally traded business in the London Market - generally large or complex business which needs to be shared with other insurers or needs the international licences of Lloyd's. Hiscox UK and Hiscox Europe offer a range of specialist insurance for professionals and business customers, as well as high net worth individuals. Hiscox International includes offshore operations in Bermuda and Guernsey and Hiscox USA.

For further information, go to www.hiscox.com

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