Brendan Carroll: Select works from
“The Final Race At Arlington”
Three Generations
Brendan Carroll
2021
Archival inkjet print
16” x 20”
Shoulda Bet The tip
Brendan Carroll
2021
Archival inkjet print
16” x 20”
Horse Back
Brendan Carroll
2021
Archival inkjet print
20” x 16”
The Winner’s Circle
Brendan Carroll
2021
Archival inkjet print
16” x 20”
The fInish
Brendan Carroll
2021
Archival inkjet print
16” x 20”
Right There
Brendan Carroll
2021
Archival inkjet print
16” x 20”
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About the Artwork
Print and Object announces the release of select works from “The Final Race At Arlington” by Chicago-based artist Brendan Carroll. A self-taught documentary photographer, Carroll’s practice resides in the sincerity and oddities of everyday life.
Opened to the public in 1927, the Arlington International Racecourse, located in Arlington Heights, Illinois, has been a historic horse racing venue for nearly a centennial and was sold in 2021 to the Chicago Bears. In this photo series, Carroll captures the iconic race track’s final day of sportsmanship on Setember 25th, 2021. Residing in the quieter moments between high bets and hard finishes, Carroll invites an introspective view of the historic space and prioritizes the subtle gestures and interactions amongst onlookers, racers, and track employees. Carroll grew up going to the Arlington International Racecourse with his father, and his kinship to the place, and ability to see around and within the pomp and circumstance, is felt throughout this series. There is a generosity to Carroll’s perspective, valuing the beauty of a cast shadow across the rutted ground of the track as much as the glistening shine of a horse’s coat, which offers a unique perspective and space for savoring the historic final day at the race.
This series is currently on exhibition at The Hoxton Hotel’s rotating gallery space, which features contemporary artists working with a range of mediums, and is curated by Johalla Projects. Select editioned prints are available for purchase exclusively through Print and Object. A portion of artwork sales will be donated to Grocery Run Club, a local non-profit supplying fresh produce and everyday necessities to underserved neighborhoods, and Canter, a non-profit working to help retired racehorses find new homes, training, and rehab.
About the Artist
Brendan Carroll is self-taught documentary photographer. His work documents the simple oddities in everyday life. Carroll’s work concentrates on intimate spaces, humor, suggestive body language, and faces with distinct character. His ability to capture and create honest emotions in everyday people and places creates sincere moments that feel like the beginnings of a bigger story.
‘The Final Race At Arlington’
A series taken at the historic Arlington Racetrack, August, 2021, Arlington Heights IL.
After 94 years of horse racing, right outside of Chicago, the iconic Arlington Race Track shut its doors. These images were made on the last race day at the park.
I grew up going to the track with my Dad. As a kid I’d place $1 bets on the horses; usually choosing the horses with my favorite name or the jockeys with the best color jackets. My earliest memories of people watching were at the races. The outrageous outfits, tall hats, thick cigar smoke, and the deep expressions on peoples faces. You could feel all the hope, loss, and the suspense of maybe just maybe winning big. Out on the grand stand I’d listen to the steadily growing roar of the crowd build like a drum roll as they cheered for their bets to place.
I remember waiting by the tunnel in hopes of the winning jockey throwing you his goggles into the crowd. Admiring the equally beautiful and powerful horses as they ran with everything they had. I’d heard rumors that the winning horses at Arlington would get to drink Guinness out of a barrel. There was a certain magic to this place that cannot be explained or replicated, if you felt it you know what I mean.