A MAJOR art work by one of Scotland's leading contemporary artists has been badly damaged by water at Glasgow's Gallery of Modern Art.

The Lamp of Sacrifice, by Nathan Coley, is made from 286 cardboard models of churches and other places of worship.

Most of the art work, which is placed on the floor, has been damaged by water.

The work is now being sent back to its owners, the National Galleries of Scotland, who had loaned it to GOMA.

Coley, who was short listed for the Turner Prize in 2007., said: "It wasn't the best news I've had this week but we - me, NGS and Glasgow Life - are assessing the damage and will work towards the best route forward."

Sources suggest the majority of the work was damaged.

However, it was not damaged by water ingress from the roof, or as an act of vandalism, it is understood.

The work, which was on display as part of the Generation show, was made by the graduate of the Glasgow School of Art in 2004.

It is understood that the work has not been destroyed but can be conserved.

A joint statement from Glasgow Life, which runs the city's art galleries and museums, and the National Galleries of Scotland, said: "There has been some water damage to works within Nathan Coley's The Lamp of Sacrifice exhibition, currently on loan from the National Galleries of Scotland (NGS) at the Gallery of Modern Art in Glasgow.

"An investigation has been launched to determine the cause and Glasgow Life are working with NGS and the artist to assess the situation.

"The exhibition space has been closed to the public until further notice."