Walking the Dog 1976 - 1979

Curator: Keith Arnatt's photographic work, titled "Walking the Dog," presents us with a seemingly ordinary scene. Editor: My first impression is one of quiet observation. The stark black and white, the figures posed against a solid door—it feels almost staged, doesn't it? Curator: Arnatt often explored the banality of everyday life. This image, held in the Tate Collections, plays with the social expectations of these commonplace scenes. Editor: The dog, a boxer, sits so formally, looking straight at us. The woman, too, seems aware of being observed. Is this Arnatt commenting on the performance of pet ownership, the way we curate our public image through our companions? Curator: Precisely. Arnatt’s work often engages with the performative nature of identity within a social context. Editor: The matching monochromatic palette of the woman's attire and the dog’s coat ties them together, visually underscoring their bond, and perhaps commenting on societal expectations. Curator: It's a work that invites us to consider the layers of meaning we ascribe to these everyday encounters. Editor: Yes, a deeper look reveals much more than just a woman walking her dog.