In celebration of the female form and in resistance to society’s standards, a collation of 432 women embracing their bodies is set to line the walls of Shepparton Art Museum.
Ponch Hawkes’ photographic exhibition 500 Strong began with an ambition to snap 500 Victorian women over the age of 50 in nude form.
Shoots were taken at Ms Hawkes’ Melbourne studio, the Geelong Gallery and at SAM at its previous Welsford St location.
Come September 17, in what Ms Hawkes describes as “an honour and a pleasure”, the project will take over the community gallery space at the new SAM.
“It will, of course, include photos of dozens of brave Shepparton women,” she said.
“Who joined hundreds more in ripping their clothes off and posing naked in the name of art and feminism.”
The series of black and white photos was created to celebrate the diversity and reality of the ageing female form, born from Ms Hawke’s desire to confront conventions of female behaviour and representation in both art and society
On Tuesday, September 6, SAM will host a Q&A session with SAM chief executive Melinda Martin and community curator Caroline Esbenshade to discuss the upcoming exhibition.
“It’s fantastic to have this opportunity to celebrate the women who took part in this project,” Ms Esbenshade said.
“Getting your kit off raises vulnerabilities personally, socially and professionally, and these women did it boldly.
“The portraits that make up the work are not only beautiful and full of personality, but also express a ‘joie de vivre’ that many will find inspiring.”
The official opening of 500 Strong is on September 17 at 1pm in the Community Gallery, with artist Ms Hawkes speaking about the work. The exhibition will be showing until November 7.
Ms Hawkes will also join SAM at the exhibition’s close for a SAM Talk, in conversation with Jacqueline Millner, Associate Professor of Visual Arts at La Trobe University.
More details can be found via https://sheppartonartmuseum.com.au/whats-on/upcoming/sam-presents-ponch-hawkes-500-strong/