Engaging with aging

Photographer Isa Leshko, created a touching and intimate glimpse into the lives of elderly animals. Below is a small sample of her gallery of moving black and white photographs. From her artist statement:

In order to achieve a sense of intimacy in these portraits, I spend several hours with the animals I photograph and I try to visit them multiple times. Depending on the animal, I may spend an hour or so simply lying on the ground next to the creature before I take a single image. This approach helps the animal acclimate to my presence and to my equipment and it allows me to observe the animal without being focused on picture taking.

I am creating these photographs to gain a deeper understanding about what it means to be mortal and to exorcise my fears of aging. I have come to realize that these images are self-portraits, or at the very least, they are manifestations of my fears and hopes about what I will be like when I am old. My intention is to take an honest and unflinching look at old age and I want these images to inspire others to become aware of and to engage with their own attitudes toward aging and mortality.

 

…make sure to read all of her artist statement – the backstory and a short documentary makes the series even more engaging.

To see more images from this series or to purchase prints, please visit: http://isaleshko.com/elderly-animals