"Beautiful Psychedelic Gherkin Exploding Tomato Sauce All Over Your Face, Flame Grilled Painting" is on loan to a London Burger King.
McDonald's may be an official Olympic sponsor but Damien Hirst is giving the fast food giant's biggest rival Burger King the chance to offer tourists to its Leicester Square branch a side order of culture with their Whoppers.
Hirst has donated his 2003 spin painting to the restaurant, where it is expected to be on display until at least the end of the year.
Hirst-lovers worried about ketchup splashes, grease and sticky fingers need not worry, the exploding gherkin art work is displayed in a case of reinforced glass.
Businessman Django Fung, who holds the Leicester Square franchise, is a friend of Hirst, according to BK, so their relationship could in part explain the bizarre collaboration.
"I love the novelty of Damien's artwork being in such an unexpected place," Fung said. "Art should be accessible to everyone, especially in such a busy summer, and putting this painting in our new-look Burger King restaurant in such a high-profile location does just that."
BK is probably grateful Hirst decided not to offer some of his slightly less appetising works, such as the diamond-encrusted human skull, above left, or pickled cow, right
What do you think of Hirst's donation? Let us know on Twitter or in the comments section below.
Words: Anna Pollitt. Pictures: Burger King
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