Artist hangs message of war on Christmas tree

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The 2002 Turner Prize nominee hung the 30ft Nordic tree with handmade kit models of the planes in service worldwide.

It is the largest tree to be installed in Tate Britain in the 20-year tradition of inviting a major artist to create one.

Banner, 41, who was unveiling her festive contribution today, said: "It was a major research job to establish exactly what planes are in military service worldwide. It took a long time to collect the models. Some didn't exist and I had to construct them from scratch."

Many fighter planes take names from nature, such as Harrier, Albatross, Hawk and Falcon, despite being symbols of power and war, she added.

It is not the first time an artist has made a political gesture with this commission. In 2002 Tracey Emin gave her tree away and left a large canvas with a handwritten plea asking for donations to the HIV and Aids charity Lighthouse.

Matt Collishaw provided a Christmas tree complete with traditional lights and baubles in 2003. On its base, a video of rats gnawing at mince pies was intended to suggest the underbelly of British society beneath the conspicuous consumption.

The Tate Britain Christmas Tree can be seen in the Rotunda until 1 January. Admission free.