Maija Astikainen

One-Dog Policy

Dogs have become our family members and furry babies. They represent simultaneously fragments of wild nature inside our homes and similar creatures, kind of special humans. They are like us, but still others.

The series One-Dog Policy contemplates the roles that we assign to dogs. The photos play with anthropomorphism, the habit of adding human characteristics to animals. The illusion of likeness leads to misinterpretation. Dogs look guilty or depressed, laughing or blaming. They become imaginary persons.

The series of portraits was shot in Finland, Great Britain and Spain during the years 2010-2016.

One-Dog Policy is available as a book by Khaos Publishing with essays by Liisa Mayow and Helen Korpak.
See all stockists here.

The photos have been exhibited in solo exhibitions in Bang Bang Gallery and Bar 9 in Helsinki and Maí Mano Ház in Budapest.
They have been part of group exhibitions “A Dog’s Best Friend” in VB Photography Center
and Überhund in Kuopio Art Museum, Salo Art Museum, Mikkeli Art Museum, Jyväskylä Art Museum and Kouvola Art Museum.

See also One-Dog Policy in Instagram