Photography, Publications
THE SILENCE OF DOGS
Martin Usborne explores the frailty of the animal condition in The Silence of Dogs in Cars, now updated and published by Hoxton Mini Press.
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THE SILENCE OF DOGS
‘Just wait in the car I’ll only be five minutes…’, a voice trails off and the car door slams. They’re words that most of us have heard at one time or another, be they from a harried parent or from a friend dashing into 7/11 to grab the lighter/toilet paper/chewing gum they so desperately need. For the person left in the car the strange slowing of time, the contemplation of what could possibly be taking so long, the questioning of just how five minutes can stretch are all tossed around. Imagine how a dog left in the same situation feels. It’s something that photographer Martin Usborne has spent some time meditating on.
Usborne’s reminiscence of being left alone in a car as a child ‘wondering if anyone would come back’ triggered the idea ‘that in a child’s mind it is possible to be alone forever’. His affinity for animals and his interest in the power relationship between animals and humans led to his photographic series The silence of dogs in cars, available in book form from Hoxton Mini Press.
The London-based photographer shot the series predominantly at night in bleak weather, adding a cinematic feel to the storytelling. The mood is set further by the chiefly dated and beat up vehicles which frame each of the subjects whose lament is so obviously visible to the viewer. What is surprising are the myriad reactions which Usborne has coaxed out of the subjects. Usborne writes ‘When I started this project I knew the photos would be dark. What I didn’t expect was to see so many subtle reactions by the dogs: some sad, some expectant, some angry, some dejected. It was as if upon opening up a box of grey-coloured pencils I was surprised to see so many shades inside.’
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All images courtesy of Martin Usborne / Hoxton Mini Press
You can buy the book here
DOG-FRIENDLY: TAKE THE LEAD
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
PACK OF DOGS
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
ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
Spanish photographer Sara Monsalve strives to ‘capture your memories’—to immortalise the beauty, innocence and wisdom of our pets.
November 8, 2023
BETWEEN THE LINES
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
JUMP FOR JOY
Photographer Rebecca Rinaldi knows that to capture a dog’s true essence, play is the key ingredient.
July 13, 2023
PLAY DATE
An antidote to mass-produced dog accessories, MiaCara’s range of carefully crafted toys are designed to surprise, endure and delight.
July 12, 2023
REALLY GOOD DOGS
Photographer Randal Ford’s fierce clarity draws dogs’ personality to the fore to reveal each animal’s “true essence”.
June 8, 2023
JET SET PET
Moving your buddy from A to be B becomes an exercise in style, comfort and convenience with Cloud7’s Travel Collection.
June 2, 2023
NATURAL INSTINCT
In his series ‘Kinetic’, San Diego-based photographer James Lee celebrates dogs at full speed.
May 7, 2023
POODLE ELITE
Jouk Oosterhof photographs Amsterdam’s beloved family members (with a dash of lifestyle accessory).
May 3, 2023
TEAM EFFORT
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
KINGDOM OF HOUNDS
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
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