Do Nothing 2020 – 200 x 200cm, oil on canvas
‘Policeman comes and smacks me in the teeth,
I don’t complain, it’s not my function,
Nothing ever change, oh no’
Thirty nine years ago in 1980, The Specials released ‘Do Nothing’ a very richly layered song about culture, fashion, drifting and a seemingly never ending cycle of racism. I was 10 years old when I first heard this song and rushed to the vinyl shop to get my copy. This painting is based on a video still from Top of the Pops where the band appeared in Christmas jumpers performing the track.