LONDON (AFP) - A video artist who weaves together old VHS footage, YouTube clips and censored erotic images, and another who delivers fast-paced spoken performances were named yesterday on the shortlist of this year's Turner Prize, one of the annual high points of the British art calendar.

James Richards from Wales and British-born Tris Vonna-Michell are among four nominees for the ￡25,000 (S$52,975) contemporary art prize, along with Irish filmmaker Duncan Campbell and Canada-born print-maker Ciara Phillips.

"The four shortlisted artists share a strong international presence and an ability to adapt, restage and reinterpret their own and others' works, very often working in collaborative social contexts," said Penelope Curtis, chair of the jury.

The Turner Prize, which celebrates its 30th birthday this year, was made famous by controversial winners Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin, and is notorious for challenging the public's perceptions about what constitutes art.

It is open to any contemporary artist under age 50 who was born in Britain or is living or working there and is judged on the work they have shown in the last 12 months. An exhibition of the finalists' work opens at Tate Britain on Sept 30, and the prize will be awarded on Dec 1. Here is a look at the artists and their nominated works.