Four&Sons

Finding a voice

BY Martin Usborne, May 26, 2012

Dogs in cars is a series of forty images of dogs looking out of car windows — sounds a bit strange but the pictures have been seen in magazines and galleries all over the world. When I first had the idea five years ago I thought it was foolish. But the best ideas are the ones that stay with you and after many years of being lodged in my subconscious this one eventually had to come out barking.

I now realise the pictures come from fairly deep fears I’ve had of being alone and without a voice (I found it almost impossible to express myself when I was a kid) and also from my early fascination with animals, dogs in particular, who also seemed vulnerable and somehow mute.

I’ve suffered from depression on and and off for much of my life – and I’ll place a fair bet that these fears are at the heart of my struggles. But strangely enough I found peering into those cars and seeing the dogs inside somewhat beautiful — as if I was looking into the darkest places inside myself and seeing a face there. A silent face. But one that I recognised.

These images are shot on location and the dog is placed in the car. That’s important to say. A lot of people think these are incidental images. This isn’t the case, partly because its very hard to find dogs stuck in cars whilst you are carrying lights around and partly because these images are not meant to be documentary, but something more dreamlike and cinematic. They evoke a feeling. Lots of lights are used and the mood is carefully controlled. I often get asked why dogs and not people in the car? Dogs are emotionally honest. They don’t hide who they are. The dog in the car is a metaphor for those raw and dare I say it, animal parts of ourselves that we keep locked away. But the images also say something about the way we control the animals in our lives.

Some people find this project funny, and I have no problem with that. But I hope it is also poignant and ultimately hopeful. If you have experienced the anxiety and darkness that comes from feeling alone and can connect with these images then please pass on the word.

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NB
We were really excited to hear Martin Usborne was approached to publish the series as a glossy art book. However, as is now commonplace in the art world, Martin needs to raise money to part-fund publication through Kickstarter. Check the video and support Martin (and the dog world) with your pledge at Kickstarter here. Until Sunday 10th June.

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Photography by Martin Usborne

Tags Art, Book, Cars, Community, Culture, Dogs in Cars, Editorial, Gifts, Kickstarter, Living, London, Martin Usborne, Personal, Photography, Pledge, Society