Artwork description:

For centuries, Greyhounds and Galgos have been revered. In ancient Egypt, they were honored alongside pharaohs, depicted in tombs as symbols of loyalty, grace, and nobility. In medieval Europe, they were the prized companions of aristocrats, reserved to royalty. These dogs were once a mark of prestige: treasured, protected, and celebrated.

Yet today, their reality is starkly different.

Greyhounds bred for racing are discarded when they are no longer profitable. Galgos, used for hunting in Spain, are subjected to cruel and archaic traditions. Many are abandoned, tortured, or killed at the end of the season. Despite their history of nobility and companionship, they have now been reduced to tools of labor, valued only for their usefulness. Their past is one of privilege. Their present, for many, is one of survival.

And then there is London, a city of heritage and architecture built to last. Its facades and historic streets remain unchanged, standing the test of time while these dogs fight for a place in the modern world. Home to countless Greyhounds and Galgos, London is a city of continuous evolution and movement, where the past is protected, the future celebrated, and both coexist effortlessly.

"Greyhounds & Galgos of London" is a series of black and white portraits, that strives to explore this juxtaposition between past and present, stillness and motion, endurance and fragility, by repositions these dogs where they belong: in spaces as majestic and lasting as they are. Against London’s mix of modernity and centuries-old architecture, Greyhounds and Galgos are portrayed not as relics of their past, but as they truly are, graceful, adaptable, and at ease in an urban world that many assume is not meant for them.
Their presence aims to be depicted as a quiet statement, reclaiming their place not as tools of labor but as dignified, effortless beings who belong wherever we do. No longer defined by movement alone, they can stand still against London’s majestic backdrops, as an act of quiet defiance.

The project seeks to challenge outdated perceptions, showing that these dogs are not just survivors but ideal, gentle companions for city life. Their forms, built for speed, now stand in stillness, at ease in a landscape not traditionally seen as their own. And yet, they belong.

20% of the proceeds are donated to Project Galgo to help raise awareness for Greyhounds and Galgos in need, and support their rescue, rehabilitation, and adoption.

Materials used:

Hahnemuhle Photo Rag 308 gsm

Tags: