Sunday, 01 June
10.15pm

God's artists have traditionally worked with images of the crucifix, Mary or Jesus, or created golden Buddhas or elaborate sculptures.

Australia's Blake Prize for Religious Art was established in 1951 by a Catholic Jesuit priest and a Jewish lawyer to push the boundaries of contemporary religious art. Both deplored the sentimental religious art found in places of worship at that time.

The prize was named after William Blake, an 18th century English poet, mystic and painter; an eccentric outsider whose works shocked and defied convention.

And from the start the Blake generated controversy. The abstract and experimental works shocked churches and those used to more traditional religious imagery.

The Blake Prize invites artists to explore "religious awareness and spirituality". It's left to the artists themselves to decide what this is. Today's entrants explore spiritual, political and pop iconic ideas ranging from conflict in the Middle East to Jesus living in modern Australia.

Compass brings you the story of the Blake by following four artists: Phil George, Marisa Purcell, Rodney Pople and Margaret Ackland, through the 2007 competition. All will make it through as finalists. And one will be highly commended.

Their works are varied and they themselves provide a fascinating insight into the making of modern religious art. Compass also follows the judging process, providing a further tantalising glimpse into the selection process as the judges wrestle with the works and each other.

Compass is screening this program on Sunday 1 June 08, four weeks before the close of entries for this year's prize (deadline: 27 June 2008).