This is called Dedicated Follower of Fashion, based on the song of the same name from the mind of Ray Davies and the Kinks.
I call this one of the Exiles pieces but I’m not really sure if it truly fits. It was done at the same time back in 1995 or ’96 and performed in the same manner but lacks the emotional depth of the others. In fact, it’s defining feature is its lack of emotional content.
I think that this blankness may have been the factor that led me to shape this piece into its final form. The elements of the face were the first part completed and basically dictate, in the way I work, where the painting goes. For instance, he could have been place on a vast and deep plain that sweeps to the distance behind him but that didn’t fit for me.
There was something in his oddly colored features that reminded me of the vanity and obsequiousness of many fashionistas. And that’s where the Kinks come in.
So, maybe he doesn’t quite fit in with the other Exiles but maybe that in itself makes him an exile of sorts.
Anyway, here are the Kinks doing the song…
God save the Kinks, they are, have always been, and always will be ” not like everybody else “..and also the greatest, and most important band in all of rock and roll history. I remain Dan the Fan, the Montvale, New Jersey Hillbilly Boy aka Frank Lima
Frank- I, too, am a big Kinkophile though perhaps not on your scale. One of my favorite moments on the Sopranos was the ending when Tony roars out of his sister’s place after tearing her completely down, as “I’m Not Like Everybody Else” played.
What a song!
Ah the Kinks – memories of my early teens.
A brilliant group!
And from the UK!