Denim and blue jeans have been abiding clothing fixtures throughout the life of several generations. From infant Osh Kosh overalls, frayed teenage cut-offs, to designer torn-at-the-knee, skin tight jeans, in all shades of blue, grey and black, they have hung in everyone’s closets since Levi-Strauss first made them for factory workers, miners, farmers, and cattlemen in the 1870’s. They have represented the ideals of democracy, hard work, equality, and in the sixties, rebellion and freedom.

I thought it was time to honour these denim, copper riveted, indigo stalwarts in art. And I had such a great time raiding my family’s closets, unpicking the stitches and reminding those old dungaree adventures. 'Dungaree Blues' is the first in my series of blue jean paintings.