A dominant stallion of the North Lander wild horse herd interlocks heads with one of his family-band mares as the sun sets on the range. This distinctive horse, known as “Elvis” for his flashy gray coloring and blonde mane, was a celebrity and symbol of Wyoming’s free-roaming wild horses. Wyoming’s wild horse population was the second largest in the country after Nevada, though this may no longer be the case. Following a huge roundup of the herd in July of 2024, “Elvis” lost his freedom alongside thousands of others. His distinctive face was seen through one of the many trailers that hauled the herd away.

Read more as Mangelsen reflects on his experiences with wild horses and how “Broken Promises” brings both artistry and purpose to wall art.