‘Stop and Search’ illustrates the extreme measures of a security state through the depiction of Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz being searched by a police officer.

The Wizard of Oz is a universally known story, appealing to people of all ages. Dorothy, the protagonist, embarks on a quest to return home after being swept away to the magical land of Oz by a tornado with her dog, Toto. In this print, they encounter an officer donning riot gear who inspects Dorothy's wicker basket for potential contraband. Dorothy is portrayed as harmless, representing the paranoia surrounding immigration and government efforts to regulate and prevent the entry of those seeking a better life.

Printed predominantly in black Stop and Search (2007) presents a scene from the familiar tale of The Wizard of Oz, reimagined through the lens of state authority. Dorothy, depicted in her iconic gingham dress with Toto at her side, is frisked by a police officer in riot gear, who rummages through her wicker basket for contraband.

The juxtaposition of a harmless fairy-tale heroine with the heavy hand of law enforcement exposes the paranoia of a security state. Dorothy becomes a symbol of innocence disrupted, pointing to wider anxieties around immigration, surveillance, and the overreach of government power.

Executed primarily in black and white, the officer’s disposable gloves are highlighted in blue, sharpening the contrast between vulnerability and authority. Produced as a screenprint in an edition of 500 signed impressions (each marked with blue crayon), the work also exists in rare canvas versions that have since achieved notable results at auction.