Walking the Dog 1976 - 1979

Curator: Keith Arnatt’s photograph, "Walking the Dog," it's such a simple, everyday scene. But something about it feels so staged, doesn't it? Editor: Yes, but isn't that the point? It strikes me as a commentary on suburban life and its prescribed roles, all viewed through a post-structuralist lens. Curator: Absolutely, it feels very performative. The woman, the dog, the garden fence, the curler in her hair... it's all so deliberately mundane that it becomes absurd. Editor: And the lack of a clear date is telling. It could be from any era, highlighting the cyclical nature of societal expectations and gender roles. Curator: I see it as a tender portrait, the woman's steady gaze... the dog's patient pose... it feels like they're just existing together in the world. Editor: It's a photograph that manages to be both critical and compassionate, I think. Curator: Exactly, a brief glance that ends up saying quite a lot. Editor: It makes you consider the politics embedded in the everyday.