Phyllis, Southdown sheep, age 13
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Photographer Isa Leshko is terrified of growing old. After caring for her mother with Alzheimer’s disease, she was “forced to confront her own mortality,” but she intended to face this fear in an unconventional way. Leshko began visiting farm sanctuaries across the U.S. to snap pictures of the geriatric animals that lived there. Over the course of nearly a decade, however, the project shifted focus from being a vehicle for Leshko’s anxiety to activism. She now uses her images as a way to speak on behalf of these creatures.
The resulting series called Allowed to Grow Old features subdued black and white portraits that capture the animals in their habitat. They offer a dignified yet unflinching look at the hard lives these creatures have endured. Some, like Buddy (a 28-year-old Appaloosa horse), are blind and suffer from arthritis; and Violet, a 12-year-old potbellied pig, is partially paralyzed. Their stories are tragic, but not unique. “Nearly all of the farm animals I met for this project endured horrific abuse and neglect prior to their rescue,” Leshko writes. “It is nothing short of a miracle to be in the presence of a farm animal who has managed to reach old age.”
The heartbreaking images demonstrate Leshko’s respect towards her resilient subjects, which comes down to her approach to photographing them. “Rescued farm animals are often wary of strangers,” she explains, “and it can take several days to develop a comfortable rapport with the animals I photograph. I often spend a few hours lying on the ground next to an animal before taking a single picture. This helps the animal acclimate to my presence and allows me to be fully present as I get to know her.”
Allowed to Grow Old is now a book that features Leshko’s photographs as well as biographical notes on her subjects. You can get your own copy on Amazon.
In her series Allowed to Grow Old, Isa Leshko creates dignified farm animal photos of geriatric creatures that have been rescued from factory farming.
Abe, Alpine goat, age 21
Violet, Potbellied pig, age 12
Forest, Santa Cruz sheep, age 16
Bessie, Holstein cow, age 20
Handsome One, thoroughbred horse, age 33
Babs, donkey, age 24
Rooster, age unknown
Tessa, Yorkshire pig, age 13
Buddy, Appaloosa horse, age 28
Blue, Australian Kelpie, age 19
Zebulon, Finnsheep, age 12
Zebulon and Isaiah, Finnsheep, both age 12
Ash, domestic white turkey, age 8
Kelly, Irish Wolfhound, age 11
Isa Leshko: Website | Facebook | Instagram
My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Isa Leshko.
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