Wade McMurray is one of the bearded models in David Hawe's new photography show. Credit: David Hawe
Scooter is one of the bearded models in David Hawe's new photography show. Credit: David Hawe
John Paul is one of the bearded models in David Hawe's new photography show. Credit: David Hawe
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
Why you can trust Xtra
