"Playing With Fire"
Mixed Media, Acrylic, Epoxy | 2018

This Rolling Stones tribute marked a turning point in my practice—the first piece that resonated widely with viewers and collectors alike. The work draws from the band's iconic catalog, weaving their visual identity and cultural impact into a layered composition of music ephemera, bold typography, and that signature tongue logo.

The Stones' music formed the soundtrack to my childhood. My father, who grew up working class in Luton (with his family hailing from the Isle of Dogs in London) saw them live multiple times in their early years. Their records played constantly, whether we were at home in the Bay Area or at our family's mountain retreat. The song referenced here gained renewed cultural relevance through its feature in early seasons of Westworld, introducing a classic to new audiences while deepening its resonance for those of us who grew up with it.

This piece captures both personal history and the enduring power of rock and roll iconography.