The Silence of Dogs in Cars in London, UK
I was once left in a car at a young age. I don’t know when or where or for how long, possibly at the age of four, perhaps outside a supermarket, probably for only fifteen minutes. The details don’t matter. The point is that I wondered if anyone would come back. The fear I felt was strong: in a child’s mind it is possible to be alone forever.
Around the same age I began to feel a deep affinity with animals – in particular their plight at the hands of humans. I saw a TV documentary that included footage of a dog in a plastic bag being kicked. What appalled me most was that the dog could not speak back.
I should say that I was a well-loved child and never abandoned, and yet it’s clear that these experiences arose deep inside me a fear of being alone and unheard.
When I started this project I knew the photos would be dark. In a sense, I was attempting to go back inside my car, to re-experience what I couldn’t bear as a child. What I didn’t expect was to see so many subtle reactions by the dogs: some were sad, some expectant, some angry, some dejected. It was as if I had opened a box of grey-coloured pencils and was surprised to see so many shades inside.
There is life in the darkest places inside us.
Place you live: East London
Specific location your photos were taken: East London, where I live.
Can you sum up East London? Vibrant, ever-changing, contradictory, infuriating, exciting and more. East London is pulsing with life and that brings out the best and the worst of what life has to offer: energy and creativity, new businesses and ideas, great food and events, wonderful parks and open spaces, but also poverty, social housing problems, crime, political tensions.
Occupation: Photographer
Preoccupation: Animals in the city, animals in relation to humans, just animals.
What is your perfect day in London? Walking the dogs in a local park, visiting a food market with friends, drinking a beer on the canal at night, then watching a movie.
What is the best thing about your spot? It is close to the markets, parks, and shops
What is the worst? London fields on a sunny day become ghettos for hipsters. It looks like a mini Glastonbury with all the grass burnt by tiny BBQs.
If your city was a person or character who would it be? A youngish person full of contradictions – rich but poor, stylish in a retro way, pretentious but deeply lovable, annoying but hilarious, full of great ideas that often fail, sometimes too loud with a lurking sadness deep inside. Hmmm, not sure I want to live with that person actually.
Who are three of your favorite photographers right now? Bill Brandt (always. I love the silent black and whites). Todd Hido (for his raw beauty) and a third person who I will leave blank to allow for daily inspiration.
Martin’s amazing photo book The Silence of Dogs in Cars is available here.
Name:Martin Usborne
City:East London
Best place to eat?
Pavilion Cafe on the weekend.
Best place to drink?
Anywhere on the canal on a sunny evening.
Best place to shop?
The shops around Redchurch Street.
If someone was visiting what must they do?
Walk around and find their own route!