[2] The prize was established in Sydney in 1949 as an incentive to raise the standard of religious art[5] and to find suitable work to decorate churches.
[citation needed] In 2000, the prize shifted its focus from strictly religious art to an exploration of spirituality, and some of the entries proved controversial.
In 2007, former prime minister John Howard and former Catholic archbishop of Sydney George Pell expressed disapproval of art works showing the Virgin Mary in a burqa, and a hologram of Christ morphing with Osama bin Laden.
In 2008, The Australian's art critic Christopher Allen resigned from the judging panel over an entry by Adam Cullen showing the crucifixion of Christ.
[citation needed] In 2011, Australian art historian, educator and exhibition curator Rosemary Crumlin authored a book documenting 60 years of the Blake Prize.