Subodh Gupta's Very Hungry God (2006)Photo: Marc Domage

Damian Hirst wasn't the first to aestheticize (i.e. make shiny) the skull. Indian artist Subodh Gupta's scrap metal rendition, eerily titled Very Hungry God, was first shown last year in a Parisian church. The piece, which is now on display in Venice, was purchased by art lover/gazillionaire/Salma Hayek baby daddy François Pinault. We're impressed, but Salma and François might want to keep their newborn away from this one, lest they scare the crap out of it. —Rachel Wolff

Subodh Gupta on 'Very Hungry God,' Palazzo Grassi, Venice [Saatchi Gallery]