In an effort to understand her extreme fear of dogs, Amparo Garrido delved into the world of psychoanalysis. The photographer is now enlisting our help to publish a book exploring subjectivity and its impact on the human psyche.
s READ MOREWhen it comes to phobias, it is rarely a fear of dogs that comes to mind. One is far more likely to shudder at the thought of a hairy spider or venom-spitting snake than an adorable doe-eyed puppy dog. However, in reality, many people are affected by cynophobia (an extreme fear of dogs), and Madrid-based Amparo Garrido is one of them. Or at least she was.
Some 15 years ago, in an effort to understand her fear, Garrido delved into the world of psychoanalysis, and discovered that dogs were simply the trigger for other personal issues she had within herself. To embrace this discovery and her newfound admiration for psychoanalysis, Garrido created the photographic series Concerning Dogs, the Gaze, and the Desire, depicting various canine breeds staring deep into the lens and through to the voyeurs’ consciousness.
Taken over two years from 1996-1998, these portraits “are not a frivolous series” says Garrido, but rather a collection inviting viewers “to look beyond surfaces and not be taken in by mere appearances.” Here disgruntled bulldogs, woeful cocker spaniels, and wise old schnauzers dare you to look at them and feel something beyond admiration for a pretty picture.
In order to move on in her artistic career, Garrido felt it time to tie up loose ends with her old project, and finally have it published into a book that merges the best of her work as a younger recently-healed photographer; with new images taken by her matured, phobia-free self.
To make her dream a reality, Garrido has enlisted the help of the general public with a fundraising project at Ulule, where she will reward financiers in various ways depending on their support. The book will be called I Am You and will continue to explore aspects of subjectivity and its impact on the human psyche. It will also include written observations from Garrido herself, professional psychoanalyst Jorge Camón and Spanish contemporary art curator Rafael Doctor.
While the portrait style of the newer photographs will remain similar to the originals, they will now be produced in colour, and the feeling of the work is slightly different, inline with Garrido’s new frame of mind. It’s a new take on an interesting theme and one we hope will have its time in the spotlight.
—
amparogarrido.com
For more information on how to donate to the project click here
We are thrilled to introduce Dog-Friendly, a collection of city guides for dog-loving people, created together with our long-time contributor, photographer Winnie Au, and fellow enthusiasts, indie publisher Hoxton Mini Press. Available for purchase here.
August 25, 2021
Have you ever imagined Amy Winehouse or Nick Cave as a Chihuahua, Neil Young as a Vizsla, or PJ Harvey as an Afghan hound? That’s exactly what San Francisco-based artist Michael Gillette has done through his unique illustration project, blending beloved, iconic music legends, both past and present, with their dog counterparts. Pack of Dogs, our first foray into book publishing, is a celebration of pup and pop culture for music and dog lovers alike.
August 25, 2020
Spanish photographer Sara Monsalve strives to ‘capture your memories’—to immortalise the beauty, innocence and wisdom of our pets.
November 8, 2023
French artist Jochen Gerner distils the magic and energy of dogs using disarmingly simple techniques, relying on felt pens and school notebooks.
November 3, 2023
Photographer Rebecca Rinaldi knows that to capture a dog’s true essence, play is the key ingredient.
July 13, 2023
An antidote to mass-produced dog accessories, MiaCara’s range of carefully crafted toys are designed to surprise, endure and delight.
July 12, 2023
Photographer Randal Ford’s fierce clarity draws dogs’ personality to the fore to reveal each animal’s “true essence”.
June 8, 2023
Moving your buddy from A to be B becomes an exercise in style, comfort and convenience with Cloud7’s Travel Collection.
June 2, 2023
In his series ‘Kinetic’, San Diego-based photographer James Lee celebrates dogs at full speed.
May 7, 2023
Jouk Oosterhof photographs Amsterdam’s beloved family members (with a dash of lifestyle accessory).
May 3, 2023
What started as a fundraising effort to save photographer Kristoffer Paulsen’s beloved dog Josie, morphed into Melbourne’s most in-demand pet portraits.
March 31, 2023
For decades, legendary Irish documentary photographer Tony O’Shea has captured the country’s annual drag hunt, and a country’s rich history along with it.
March 24, 2023
