This series of paintings explore the aggressive and violent side to man’s nature. The work was influenced by recent media reports on the rise of gang culture, underground dog fighting groups and crime in our cities. The use of various recognisably aggressive dog breeds, replacing the human face, is intended to give character to the figures, while refraining from giving them their humanity. With many gangs now using aggressive dogs as a weapon to show street status I felt the combination of man with dog was quite apt for this subject.

The Bouncer © Laura Hutchinson