My work is concerned with those who are the antithesis of today's celebrity culture, the psychiatric patients, the drug addicts, the homeless, vagrants, 'losers'-society's outsiders. Often they are more interesting and worthier than the 'icons' we are expected to admire. The word icon means a picture of a saint or martyr, and they are more likely to be found in the gutter than on the stage, catwalk or football pitch. I hope that my art is functional and decorative. By raising awareness of today's social problems and dispelling prejudice society can confront and solve the sociological problems it has to endure. Distracted by celebrity culture we are inclined to neglect those who need help.