"Horses gone wild"
A themed Exhibit / Sale running at the Yarmouth Waterfront Gallery, in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada,
from August 1 to 31, 2019
Fine photo prints for small wall-spaces
The original versions of some of the images presented through this exhibit were part of my book, "Nobody's Horses - A pictorial journey into the life of some of Western Alberta's remaining Wild Horses" published in 2012. Shortly after publication of the book, most of my image collections were transformed into more artistic representations.
From the start, this process has been a work in progress........
"Faces and Moments in the life of the horses"
My goal has always been to portray these animals in the best light, trying to document their life,
resilience, spirit and individual character .
GK-WH 01 "Standing proud"
Print sizes: 5 x 7" - 8 x 10" - 11 x 14"
GK-WH 02 "Curiosity"
Print sizes: 5 x 7" - 8 x 10" - 11 x 14"
GK-WH 03 "Who's there"
Print sizes: Art card (4 x 9") - 10 x 20"
GK-WH 04 "Stallion portrait 1"
Prints sizes: 5 x 7" - 8 x 10" - 11 x 14"
GK-WH 06 "Charging"
Prints sizes: 5 x 7" - 8 x 10" - 11 x 14"
GK-WH 05 "Stallion portrait 2"
Prints sizes: 5 x 7" - 8 x 10" - 11 x 14"
GK-WH 07 "The counter charge"
Prints sizes: 5 x 7" - 8 x 10" - 11 x 14"
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Habitat ...
The Foothills of the Canadian Rocky Mountains
The region is rich with natural resource development: oil and gas extraction, as well as logging. This is a vast wilderness area with numerous opportunities to access more remote locations. It is also home to numerous other large wildlife species such as deer, elk, moose, bears, wolves and cougars.
The landscape is varied. Rolling hills and vast expanses of pine forest, creeks, and river valleys harbor small and large meadows, and grassy slopes punctuated with aspen patches. Looking west, one will find fantastic views of the near-by Rocky Mountains …
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GK-WH 08 "Stay close"
Prints sizes: 5 x 7" - 8 x 10" - 11 x 14"
GK-WH 09 "Looking back"
Prints sizes: 5 x 7" - 8 x 10" - 11 x 14"
Art card (4 x 9") - 10 x 20"
GK-WH 10 "Youngster's portrait"
Prints sizes: 5 x 7" - 8 x 10" - 11 x 14"
GK-WH 11 "Looking for food"
Prints sizes: 5 x 7" - 8 x 10" - 11 x 14"
GK-WH 12 "Braving a snowstorm"
Prints sizes: 5 x 7" - 8 x 10" - 11 x 14"
GK-WH 13 "Bite"
Prints sizes: 5 x 7" - 8 x 10" - 11 x 14"
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Social structure of a herd
Each herd is composed of a dominant stallion, a lead mare, and a number of other mares and off-spring (colts and foals). Of course, a newly established herd may not have any colts or immature horses. Each members of the herd has its own place within the group: some sort of pecking order looks evident, at least between the young and the more mature horses. It is common to see horses biting or pushing each other when that order is not respected........
Only the strongest stallion earns the right to breed. He fiercely defends his herd against predators, and just as fiercely and vigilantly keeps other stallions from stealing “his” mares. The status of the lead mare is very important, as she is considered to be the wisest horse in the herd, but not always the oldest. She is alert to any potential danger at all times, and will lead the herd to safety should a threat appear. She is also the horse that will lead the others to the best grazing areas. When she is on the move, all other horses within the herd will follow, with the stallion following last, staying at the back. He likely takes this position as a protective measure.
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GK-WH 14 "Kicks"
Prints sizes: 5 x 7" - 8 x 10" - 11 x 14"
GK-WH 16 "The challenge"
Prints sizes: 5 x 7" - 8 x 10" - 11 x 14"
GK-WH 15 "Yawn"
Prints sizes: 5 x 7" - 8 x 10" - 11 x 14"
GK-WH 17 "Side by side"
Prints sizes: 5 x 7" - 8 x 10" - 11 x 14"
GK-WH 18 "Running free"
Prints sizes: Art card (4 x 9") - 10 x 20"
Heading 6
GK-WH 19 "Nobody's horses"
Prints sizes: 5 x 7" - 8 x 10" - 11 x 14"
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A Pictorial Journey into the Life of Some of Western Alberta’s Remaining “Wild Horses”
Observing and photographing the horses can be a challenge at the best of times. These animals are wild, meaning that they have minimum interaction with humans. As a result, they often live in fear of such encounters. Growing up and living on the range is difficult due to the harsh environment. Winters are cold. Predators need to eat. Only the strongest animals get to survive, let alone live a good life.
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GK-WH 20 "Grazing"
Prints sizes: 5 x 7" - 8 x 10" - 11 x 14"
GK-WH 22 "Stallion portrait 3"
Prints sizes: 5 x 7" - 8 x 10" - 11 x 14"
GK-WH 21 "Sleepy"
Prints sizes: 5 x 7" - 8 x 10" - 11 x 14"
GK-WH 23 "Stallion portrait 4"
Prints sizes: 5 x 7" - 8 x 10" - 11 x 14"
GK-WH 24 "Standing proud"
Prints sizes: 5 x 7" - 8 x 10" - 11 x 14"
Through this exhibit, I hope to have been able to convey the beauty and the spirit of these "wild" horses. This project has taken a few years to complete, with many hours spent in the field observing and photographing these magnificent creatures. “Wild” and free ranging horses can be found in Europe, Asia, Australia and of course the United States. Here in Canada, most are familiar with the horses found on Sable Island (off the East Coast), but few are aware that we have populations in Western Canada.
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