Elizabeth Wahl
In this series, photographer Elizabeth Wahl considers rancher attire in a deconstruction state. From head to toe, every rancher is covered in “equipment” that protects them from their rugged work-driven lives. Every piece they wear serves a purpose and is not related to fashion. This clothing is durable, a friend of dirt, and able to withstand time. Wahl places each piece in an individual portrait, allowing the viewer to examine the outcome of this rugged wear by ranchers closely. When engaging with this workwear in its deconstructed environment in each portrait, Wahl invites each viewer to consider how the “fashionization” of these pieces detracts from their intended purpose as protective workwear. In this way, she pursues preserving the integrity of this uniform.