In 1976, Nottingham’s Victorian buildings were being demolished to make way for new council housing. John Dean, then a 20-year-old American art student, captured a moment that he now describes as 'very English'. The photograph features Joe, a local man, walking his dog Becky in the Arboretum, Nottingham’s oldest public park, with his granddaughter by his side.
Dean was in Nottingham as part of an exchange programme between the Maryland Institute College of Art and Nottingham Trent University. He lived with a young family, embedding himself in their daily life, from making marmalade to celebrating the baby’s first birthday. Each day, he explored the city, documenting the changes as old buildings fell and children played among the rubble.
The chance encounter with Joe and Becky became a regular occurrence. Dean recalls that the dog made the picture special. 'I have other shots of him that are not as captivating, because the dog really makes this picture,' he said. The image, taken 50 years ago, remains a favourite, symbolising a bygone era of English life.
Dean, now a seasoned photographer, credits serendipity for many of his career highlights, including photographing the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. His advice to aspiring photographers: 'Don’t take your vision for granted. Work on what satisfies your creativity, and share it.'
