Through travels to animal sanctuaries across the US, Elderly Animals is Leshko's exploration of aged animals at or near the end of their lives. The project evolved from the artist’s interaction with her aging mother whom has Alzheimer’s and caring for her with her sister for a year in New Jersey. The event had a profound impact on Leshko, influencing not only her photography, but also her own views on aging and mortality. Upon returning home to Philadelphia, Leshko encountered a blind elderly horse on a relative’s property, spending hours photographing the horse and after reviewing the film, she knew she had her next project.

When a photographer picks up a camera, he or she is surrounded by an entire world to point her camera at. She will pick a small rectangle out of all of this possible everything and say “this is what I’m paying attention to - this is what’s on my mind - this is what’s in my heart.” Artists understand the world by creating metaphors, the same way that scientists understand the world by creating scientific models. The strongest and most soulful art is achieved by using a balance of intellect and intuition. An artist will be drawn to something without knowing why, then she will bring her intellect to those first images and the resulting insight will enable her go back out and take images that are more profound. Each round of photographing and listening to the images takes her deeper into the heart of the issues and questions that haunt her.

                                                                        -Christopher Rauschenberg, 2012 Fellowship Juror

Leshko founded Exit 12 Press in 2010, publishing the exhibition catalog, Thrills and Chills to accompany her solo exhibition of the same name at the Griffin Museum of Photography in Winchester, MA. The book was named one of 2010’s best photography books by Larissa Leclair, curator and director/founder of the Indie Photobook Library. Leshko lives in Philadelphia, PA.

The 2012 HCP Fellowship Award and Exhibition are generously supported by The Joan Hohlt and Roger Wich Foundation.

EXHIBITIONS ON VIEW AND RELATED PROGRAMMING

Nancy LeVine - Senior Dogs Across America - HCP’s Main Gallery, May 4 – June 23, 2012

Isa Leshko's Elderly Animals, 2012 HCP Fellowship Recipient, selected by Christopher Rauschenberg - HCP’s Gallery X, May 4 – June 23, 2012

David Politzer's When You're Out There, 2012 Carol Crow Memorial Fellowship Exhibition,selected by Christopher Rauschenberg - HCP’s Gallery Y, May 4 – June 23, 2012

Collaborations IX: Aging - HCP’s Learning Center Gallery, May 4 – June 23, 2012

Opening Reception for all four exhibitions at HCP, Friday, May 4, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Juror Christopher Rauschenberg in conversation with 2012 Fellowship Recipients Isa Leshko and David Politzer at HCP, Friday, May 4, 5:30 p.m.

Artist Talk with Nancy LeVine at HCP, Friday, May 4, 6:00 p.m.

Artist Talk with participating artists of Collaborations IX: Aging at HCP, Saturday, May 5, 2:00 p.m.