For decades, pit bulls have been demonized by society and portrayed as hellhounds. They’ve become the most feared, hated, and abused of all companion animals. Some cities and even entire countries ban them, while the media persist in associating them with viciousness. This unjust reputation has sealed the fate of millions of dogs, who face prejudice around the world, languish in shelters where they are the most euthanized. In the U.S. alone, hundreds of thousands of pit bulls are euthanized every year.
Since 2014, Sophie Gamand has been taking photographs of adoptable pit bulls from all around the United States. Many had been waiting for homes for years. The portraits celebrate these dogs’ inherent personality, vulnerability, and individuality and have not only led to hundreds of dogs finding loving, forever homes, but have spurred efforts to destigmatize an animal whose reputation for violence says more about us than the characters of the dogs themselves.
Artist Bios
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Sophie Gamand
Sophie Gamand is a French award-winning photographer and animal advocate living and working in New York. Since 2010, she has been focusing on dogs and our relationship with them, particularly shelter dogs. By donating her time and (a little flower power) to animal shelters, Gamand has helped hundreds of dogs find a new home through her popular Instagram.
Traveling between fine art and documentary, Gamand’s work is mostly photography-based but her recent exhibits have included video, sculpture, installation, Virtual and Augmented Reality.
Gamand is the author of Wet Dog (New York City: Grand Central Publishing, 2015) and Pit Bull Flower Power (New York City: Lantern Books, 2018). She has received multiple awards for her work in photography and her advocacy including a Sony World Photography Award (2014) and has exhibited her work worldwide.
Organizations
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The Seaport
The Seaport is New York City’s original neighborhood, a maritime hub of history, culture, entertainment, and dining, located along the East River in Lower Manhattan. The neighborhood celebrates emerging and resident artists, local organizations, and community connectivity through its curated events & activations, including its public art program, Seaport Arts.
Pit Bull Flower Power
Featuring: Sophie Gamand
Locations
View Location Details The South Street Seaport19 & 23 Fulton Street, as well as windows on the corner of Fulton & Front Streets
New York, NY 10038
The views and opinions expressed in this exhibit are those of the exhibition artists and partners and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Photoville or any other participants and partners of the Photoville Festival.
