Big Locks

David Hawe's new photography exhibit features bearded men in wigs

Big Locks is the name of David Hawe’s new series of photos, currently hung at Wayla Bar. The show consists of six gigantic head-and-shoulder shots of men in big, beautiful wigs (made by wig-master Mikah Styles). The photos don’t have the jazzy, bold colour play Hawe frequently uses in his professional work (Now, Xtra, Fab); this time he’s going all black and white on your ass … and it’s stunning.

“This is my first of many solo and group art exhibits I’ll be doing this year,” Hawe says. “I love wigs! My mother wore a wig every day of her life … so there were always lots around while I was growing up.”

The images evoke the old movie-star glamour photos of George Hurrell or even those awesome 1960s yearbook photos of bouffant teen girls that have inspired so many queer artists, from John Waters to, well … Every. Drag. Queen. In. The. Universe.

“It doesn’t matter how butch a man tries to act; there’s something magical that happens once he gets a big ‘do’ put on his head … and the bigger the better,” Hawe says. “The eyes sparkle, a hip falls down … and his world gets sassy. These photos are just about that.” —Sissydude

Check out four of the beautifully coiffed lads in the slideshow above.

Big Locks opens Thurs, Feb 6 and runs until Mon, March 3 at Wayla Bar, 996 Queen St E.
davidhawe.com

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