Bold New Art Exhibition Calls For An End To Greyhound Racing
Image: Supplied
An unapologetic new art exhibition opening in Sydney this Friday celebrates the beauty of greyhounds, while advocating for their right to live their lives peacefully, far from a racetrack.
Titled Saint Grey, artist Elliott Fox uses his first solo exhibition to to engage audiences through soulful greyhound portraitures, showcasing their characters and personalities as family members, as well using subtle messaging and symbolism to stimulate conversation about the commodification of animals for gambling exploitation.
The titular Saint Grey is also the name of the reverent centrepiece sculpture of the exhibition: a white greyhound with feathered angel wings stretching out from its back, a golden sacred heart in the centre of its chest.
View this post on Instagram
Based in Canberra with his rescue greyhound and artistic muse, Adam Barker, Elliott hopes his debut exhibition will “become a beacon of hope and change for greyhounds across Australia and the world”.
“My sculptures, paintings, and screen prints will showcase these dogs as family members, and not gambling commodities,” he said.
“Art needs to be more than a pretty picture. In a world saturated with misinformation, art needs to be meaningful and engage people emotionally and intellectually.”
Suffering of commercially raced greyhounds brought into stark light
Research from the Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds found that approximately one greyhound dies every 1.6 days on Australian race tracks. In 2020, 202 greyhounds were killed on the tracks or died from the injuries, with 48 of those deaths in NSW.
Last year, a report by Greyhound Racing NSW former chief vet found dogs were being raced at unhealthy intensities, leading to a massive rise in injuries and many left to “live out their miserable post-racing lives in industrial kennels”.
At the time, Premier Chris Minns said he wouldn’t be shutting down the industry entirely.
“Look, we’re not going to shut down the industry but we do take this report seriously,” Minns said. “And I know that it’s the minister [who] is assessing the criticisms … they’ll be investigated, they’ll be fully investigated.”
View this post on Instagram
A sponsor of the exhibition, animal rights’ group Animal Liberation, says Fox’s work is “unapologetic advocacy and direct-action campaign work for greyhounds.”
“It’s a ‘must see’, filled with hope and reverence, and we know viewers will not be disappointed. Elliott’s work is bold, thought-provoking and showcases the individuality of greyhounds and what they endure in the commercial racing industry,” said Regional Campaigns Manager, Lisa Ryan.
“Art lovers, animal lovers and those unfamiliar with greyhounds or dog racing in Australia are especially encouraged to attend.”
Proceeds from an online auction of the artworks can be made from 15 August, and will be donated back to the supporting charities and advocacy groups.
The Sydney exhibition will be open to the public free of charge at the m2 Gallery in Surry Hills from 16 to 25 August, before travelling to Canberra, Melbourne, and Perth.
You May Also Like
Leave a Reply