A German artist has said she will smoke the ashes of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain as part of a new art exhibition.

Natascha Stellmach claims to have “acquired” Cobain's remains, which were reported to have been stolen in May from the home of his widow Courtney Love, but wouldn't say where from.

They will form part of the Set Me Free exhibition at Berlin's Wagner + Partner gallery.

Stellmach will smoke the ashes in a spliff from a secret location in order to free Cobain “into the ether from the media circus”, a statement said.

A number of other artists are expected to feature in the exhibition, which will take place in October.

Danish artist Marco Evarissti plans to feed death row inmate Gene Hathorn to a goldfish at the installation.

Representatives from Nirvana or Love have yet to comment on the exhibition's claims.

(by Jason Gregory)