MEDIA RELEASE
11 March 2005
Photographic Study Goes To The Dogs
Wellington photographer, Victoria Birkinshaw, has decided to uncover the world of greyhound racing. She has chosen to do
a photographic study on Greyhound Racing New Zealand (GRNZ) and their racing brand The Dogs after thinking it would make
a fascinating and visually stimulating project.
“I’ve been driving past the Hutt Park racetrack for years wondering what goes on in there. After accidentally switching
onto greyhound racing on TV, I became completely engrossed as it was an area I knew nothing about. It left me wanting to
find out more about greyhounds, so I approached The Dogs to see if it would be possible to get access to their world”
said Victoria
Lance Bickford, Chief Executive, Greyhound Racing New Zealand said greyhound racing will make an exciting and visual
presentation for Victoria.
“We are very proud to have Victoria using our sport for her project. Greyhound racing is very entertaining and we hope
through her photography more people will see what a unique and exciting sport it is. We would like to see more people
become involved in it and share the passion that all the participants have.
The study will look at the interaction between participants and the dogs and provide an honest, informative and
interesting view into the untold story and culture of greyhound racing.
“My experience so far has been great. I expected the dogs to be nippy and nervy, but they’re not. The dogs I've met have
been gentle and friendly and there is a genuine affection between the dogs and people. I'm looking forward to getting
more involved and meeting all involved. I suspect my involvement in the sport will continue after the project has
finished” Victoria said.
Victoria has been involved in a number of large scale photographic projects including: documentaries on speedway racing
and the Weber Brothers Circus, a contemporary photographic shoot for an upcoming book on the history of state housing in
New Zealand and her photographs of post-cyclone Niue are currently showing at Pataka as part of the Pacific Light
exhibition.
ENDS