Going to the Dogs by Katherine Green

About

Social documentary photographer, Katherine Green of East London, spent three months documenting the community at Walthamstow Greyhound Stadium before it closed in 2008. Walthamstow was one of the best known and loved of all the UK's greyhound stadiums; a local landmark which employed over 500 people. The photographs tell the story of a family-run business, devoid of modern marketing techniques, which traded on its name alone. When crowds dwindled, the business was sold to property developers and now remains vacant. Katherine, who trained at Central Saint Martins, often focuses on places or events which unite communities. The Stadium was an important hub which provided structure in many people's working and social lives for generations. Going to the Dogs documents the last 3 months of the track, focusing on the people who worked there as they contemplate a future without it. Greyhound racing is still one of the most popular spectator sports in the country and dog tracks provide a cheap and family friendly night but tracks have had to reinvent themselves in the face of competition from other leisure activities and changes in social trends. A track which has successfully managed this is Monmore Green Stadium, Wolverhampton, which pre-dates Walthamstow and regularly draws the crowds. Join Katherine in the balcony gallery on Thu 17 June, 6.30 — 8.30pm when she will be on hand to answer questions about her work.