Hirst in a pickle at Tate

A pickled mutant sixlegged calf entitled In His Infinite Wisdom, a startling new creation from Damien Hirst, is set to be the highlight of a major new show at the Tate opening tomorrow.

Hirst, 39, has joined forces with Sarah Lucas and Angus Fairhurst to bring to the Tate one of the most bizarrely entitled shows in its history: In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida.

It is, the Tate claims, a reference to the Garden of Eden. Typically some of the art doesn't make much sense either - but there is, as ever, a good dose of shock value to be had.

They may be getting on a bit but these original Young British Artists were at Tate Britain last night to put the finishing touches to their new exhibition, which promises to be as provocative as any of their headline-grabbing works from the

early Nineties. Hirst has said: "The show's not too serious - even though this is the Tate." However, there is no doubt that one of his new works is very serious indeed.

In His Infinite Wisdom is a new twist on his most famous routine, the pickled-animal-in-a-tank.

This time Hirst has found a very particular animal to pickle - a mutant stillborn calf with six legs.

Hirst has created five new vitrines in all, including one major piece entitled The Pursuit Of Oblivion. It is a reworking of a 1946 canvas by the renowned British painter Francis Bacon showing a crucified body.

In Hirst's version the body is that of a cow, around which swim live fish in a stomach-churning swamp of sausages and butchers' knives.

He will also unveil some of his signature paintings made with real butterfly wings.

Sarah Lucas, 41, is considered one of the best British contemporary artists never to have won the Turner Prize.

In this show she has created a statue of Christ on the cross with a twist - Christ's body is constructed entirely of cigarettes and placed in front of the flag of St George. It is entitled Christ You Know It Ain't Easy.