Tate focuses on Damien Hirst during Olympic summer

Extra security plans will in place for the sculpture called For the Love of God as the Tate Modern museum in London puts together a retrospective of British bad boy artist Damien Hirst.

The sculpture, a diamond-studded skull valued at $78 million, is one of Hirst’s most iconic works, along with a dissected cow and calf in formaldehyde that earned him the Turner Prize in 1992.

The Hirst exhibit, looking back on two decades of his work, is part of London’s Cultural Olympiad for the 2012 Games. The Tate also plans an exhibit of works by Edvard Munch and a new installation in its mammoth Turner Hall by British-German artist Tino Sehgal as part of the cultural festival that accompanies the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Hirst, one of the Young British Artists discovered in the 1980s, is considered one of the most influential artists of his generation.

The exhibit will include iconic sculptures from his Natural History series, including The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living, in which he suspended a shark in formaldehyde. Also included are installations such as In and Out of Love, not shown in its entirety since its creation in 1991 and Pharmacy 1992. 

Outside the Tate, viewers will be able to see Hymn, the artist's huge statue of a human torso with the organs exposed.

For the Love of God, a platinum skull encrusted with 8,601 diamonds, will be displayed in a special viewing room at the Tate, with extra security to ensure its safety.  The exhibit opens April 4 at London’s Tate Modern. 

Hirst plans public gallery

Meanwhile Hirst has revealed his own plans for a public gallery to display his personal art collection which is extensive.

That project, being designed in south London by architect Caruso St John, would have six galleries and is expected to be finished by 2014.

In addition to his own work, Hirst owns art by American artist Jeff Koons, Britain’s Sarah Lucas, graffiti artist Banksy and Francis Bacon.