Damien Hirst's series "The Empresses" is a brilliant evolution of his iconic kaleidoscope paintings. In this series, Hirst focuses on significant female rulers in world history. The work "Suiko" is a tribute to the first reigning Empress of Japan (554–628 CE), who established Buddhism in her empire.

The composition possesses a hypnotic symmetry. Hundreds of butterfly wings—Hirst's central symbol for the beauty and fragility of life—are arranged in a complex, mandala-like pattern. In contrast to earlier series, a deep, dramatic red, the color of power, happiness, and passion, dominates here, entering into an intense dialogue with the black of the wings.

Technically, the work is of the highest caliber: it is a laminated giclée print on a heavy aluminum composite panel. The surface has been partially finished with screen-printed glitter, causing the work to sparkle depending on the light and creating an almost three-dimensional depth. This finish gives "Suiko" a physical presence that immediately commands the space. Published by HENI Editions in 2022, the work is signed and numbered on a label on the reverse.