Portraits of Rescued Farm Animals Who Were Allowed to Grow Old

Confronting Aging Through Art: Isa Leshko’s “Allowed to Grow Old”

Isa Leshko, a renowned photographer, has found a profound and poignant way to address her fear of aging through her compelling photography series, Allowed to Grow Old. Initially driven by her own anxiety about growing older—intensified by the experience of caring for her mother with Alzheimer’s disease—Leshko embarked on a unique journey. Her quest led her to farm sanctuaries across the United States, where she documented the lives of elderly animals.

What started as a personal exploration of mortality has evolved into a powerful advocacy project. Over nearly a decade, Leshko’s Allowed to Grow Old series has transformed from a means of confronting her own fears into a heartfelt call for the recognition and protection of elderly farm animals.

Capturing the Dignity of Aging Animals

In Allowed to Grow Old, Leshko’s black and white images offer a sobering yet respectful portrayal of aged farm animals in their sanctuary environments. The series includes deeply moving photographs of animals like Buddy, a 28-year-old Appaloosa horse who suffers from blindness and arthritis, and Violet, a 12-year-old potbellied pig who is largely paralyzed. These powerful images highlight the often-overlooked struggles of elderly animals, many of whom have endured severe abuse and neglect before finding refuge in sanctuaries.

Leshko’s photographic approach reveals her deep empathy for her subjects. “Rescued farm animals are frequently apprehensive of strangers,” she explains. “Developing a comfortable connection with the creatures I photograph can take several days.” To ensure her subjects’ comfort and to capture their essence authentically, Leshko spends hours lying on the ground beside them, allowing them to acclimate to her presence.

A Book That Tells Their Stories

The culmination of this decade-long project is the book Allowed to Grow Old. This work not only showcases Leshko’s striking images but also includes biographical information about the animals she has photographed. Through her lens, readers gain insight into the remarkable lives of these resilient creatures, their past hardships, and their current states of being.

You can order Allowed to Grow Old on Amazon, where the book offers a unique blend of art and advocacy, shedding light on the often unseen struggles of farm animals in their twilight years.

Why Isa Leshko’s Work Matters

Leshko’s Allowed to Grow Old is more than just a collection of photographs; it’s a powerful statement on the dignity of aging and the importance of compassion. Her work brings to light the stories of animals who have survived unimaginable adversity, inviting viewers to reflect on the broader issues of animal welfare and the significance of providing a dignified life to all creatures, regardless of their age.

By confronting her own fears through her art, Isa Leshko has created a poignant tribute to the elderly animals she has met and photographed. Her project stands as a reminder of the miracles of survival and the importance of kindness, both to animals and to ourselves as we face the inevitability of aging.