Peter Blake goes to church

Plans for a permanent artwork by the pop artist in St Paul's Cathedral

Peter Blake is to create a major new work for St Paul's Cathedral which will be unveiled next year. Blake who famously designed the Beatles Sgt Pepper album cover, has been commissioned to make a 4 feet by 4 feet painting for the Knights Bachelor Chapel. The artist has been at work on the piece for some time with some reports suggesting he has repeatedly painted over the work he has so far created. US video arrest Bill Viola is also working on two giant moving image installations for the Cathedral - one of the Virgin Mary and one featuring modern day martyrs. Norman Foster is designing the plinths upon which the pieces will sit.