Tracey Emin and the tree that isn't there

Tracey Emin unveiled her latest work of art yesterday – a festive tree that is not there.

Asked to create a Christmas tree for Tate Britain, Emin, best known for her unmade bed, opted for a traditional spruce with baubles and tinsel. But instead of putting it on display in the London gallery, she gave it away to the HIV and Aids charity Lighthouse.

Visitors to the Tate will simply see a large canvas with a handwritten message explaining: "There is no tree because I gave it away." They will also be asked to give a donation to the charity. One donor, whose name will be drawn out of a hat in the New Year, will win an Emin artwork.

Emin, 39, said her idea was in the true spirit of Christmas. "I couldn't think of anything except doing a normal tree and I thought if I did that, I should do something with it," she said.