Art to believe in

The Cultural Frontline speaks to artists about how their faith informs and inspires their work.

When he was twelve years old, the artist Tsherhin Sherpa began studying traditional Tibetan thangka painting with his father; he is now a celebrated contemporary artist. He tells The Cultural Frontline about how his work combines the ancient traditions of his Buddhist heritage with his personal observations on the political and social issues of today’s modern globalised culture.

The graffiti artist Combo says he is French first, Muslim second - and has a lot to say about how religion is discussed in French society. He speaks to the BBC’s Sophia Smith Galer about one of his most notable works, a logo called 'co-exist' that he has spray-painted in cities around the world. It celebrates religious diversity, but also led to Combo receiving a lot of criticism in the French media for sparking religious discourse on the streets of a country where secularism, or laïcité, is proudly celebrated.

Plus we speak to the rapper A-Star about how his faith shapes his lyrical message, and why there is a renaissance of gospel in grime music.

Presented by Tina Daheley

Image: Work by the graffiti artist Combo. Credit: Combo