London - Polish artist Miroslaw Balka has been chosen to create the next installation to fill the large turbine hall entrance of the Tate Modern art gallery in London, the Tate said Friday.

Balka is the 10th artist to receive a commission, sponsored by Unilever, to create an artwork for temporary exhibition in the vast hall of the gallery, a former power station.

His work will be unveiled on October 12 and will be on show until April 5, 2010.

It will replace a current display of bunk beds and giant sculptures by French artist Dominique Gonzales-Foerster.

Previous exhibits have included a spiralling slide by German artist Carsten Hoeller, a giant sun by Denmark's Olafur Eliasson, as well as sculptures and installations by Spain's Juan Munoz and Anish Kapoor from Britain.

Describing Balka as "one of the most significant artists of his generation," Tate Modern director, Vicente Todoli, said: "We look forward to seeing what he will create for the unique space at Tate Modern."

Balka, 50, has won critical acclaim in Poland and internationally for his work which explores themes drawing on his Roman Catholic upbringing and the fractured 20th century history of his native country. (dpa)