Ponch Hawkes

Ponch Hawkes (born 1946) is an Australian photographer whose work explores intergenerational relationships, queer identity and LGBTQI+ rights, the female body, masculinity, and women at work, capturing key moments in Australia's cultural and social histories.[1][2][3][4][5]

Early life and education

Hawkes was born in Abbotsford, Victoria, in 1946 and educated at University High School. She is self-taught, having never formally studied photography.[6] Upon returning to Australia from the United States in the early 1970s, Hawkes, who was working as a journalist for the magazine The Digger, took up photography to enhance her journalistic work.[7][8][9][10][11]

Work

Her work has been included in major Australian exhibitions such as Melbourne Now (2013) at the National Gallery of Victoria and Know My Name (2021/22) at the National Gallery of Australia. Hawke's work is represented in the collections of numerous significant institutions including the National Gallery of Victoria, National Gallery of Australia, Queensland Art Gallery, State Library of Victoria, City of Melbourne, Horsham Regional Gallery, Monash Gallery of Art, the Women's Art Register, and the Jewish Museum of Australia.[12][13] Hawkes has collaborated with the Pram factory and Circus Oz, and was the first administrator of the Women's Theatre Group in the 1970s.[8]

Hawkes' photographic work is broad in its scope, including the portrayal of artists, feminists, sportspeople, public figures and candid street-photographs. The photographs are often exhibited as a series or multiples, and the subjects in the work are often invited to actively participate in the process.[8] Through this method, Hawkes pursues a sustained interest in the way individuals use their bodies and the way individuals relate, through their bodies, to each other.[14] Hawke's first exhibited body of work, the 1976 photo essay Our Mums and Us, featured her female friends and their mothers, among them the writer Helen Garner.[15][16] More recent projects have explored the ageing female body such as in the monumental work 500 strong (2021),[17][18][19] that reclaims bodies from shame, empowers the subjects portrayed, and normalises images of older women.[19][20] The under-representation of women in politics is explored in the humorous work Changing Faces: Reframing Women in Local Democracy (2020),[21][22] that depicts 171 local women wearing fake moustaches and beards to challenge gender stereotypes.[21][22] Hawkes' extensive career is considered an influential part of the Australian feminist art movement.[8][23]

Exhibitions

Selected solo exhibitions

Selected group exhibitions

  • Women Photographers 1900–1975: A Legacy of Light, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia, 2025–2026[44]
  • Parched. La Trobe Art Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, 2024[45][46][47]
  • Flesh After Fifty, Changing Images of Older Women in Art, Abbotsford Convent, Melbourne, Australia, 2021[17][25]
  • In Her Words, a Horsham Regional Art Gallery Collection travelling exhibition, 2019–2020[48]
  • Photography Meets Feminism: Australian women photographers 1970s–80s, a Monash Gallery of Art travelling exhibition, 2014–2015[49][50]
  • Beyond Borders, MAP Group, Ballarat International Photo Biennale, 2015[51]
  • Melbourne Now, National Gallery of Victoria, 2013–2014[6]
  • KHEM, Strange Neighbour, Melbourne, Curated by Linsey Gosper, April 11 – May 3, 2014[52][53][54]
  • Take A Bow, Ballarat Mechanics Institute, 2013[55][56]
  • Mining The Collection, Albury City Gallery, 2011[57]
  • Brummels, Monash Gallery of Art, 2011[58][59]
  • Mapping Ballarat, Ballarat Foto Biennale, 2011
  • Basil Sellers Art prize, (finalist) Ian Potter Museum of Art, 2011[60][61][62]
  • Timelines, National Gallery of Victoria, 2011[63][64]
  • Mapping Ballarat, Ballarat International Foto Biennale, 2009
  • Beyond Reasonable Drought, Old Parliament House, Canberra and touring, 2007[65]
  • Raised by Wolves, Art Gallery of Western Australia, 2006[66]
  • Julie Millowick Aquisitive Prize, Castlemaine Festival (winner), 2006[13]
  • Murray Cod: The Biggest Fish in the River, Swan Hill Gallery and 5 other venues, 2006[67]
  • Blake prize for Religious Art (finalist), 2006
  • Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Photographic Award, Gold Coast City Art Gallery (finalist), 2006[43]
  • Olive Cotton Award for Photographic Portraiture, Tweed River Art Gallery, Murwillumbah (finalist), 2006[43]
  • Making Hay at Shear Outback Center, Hay, NSW, and Span Galleries, Melbourne, 2006[68]
  • The Interior World: photographs and photographers from Glen Eira City Council's Collection, Glen Eira City Gallery, Caulfield South, Melbourne, 2004
  • Documenting Australians, A pictorial history of Australian photography, Monash Gallery of Art, Wheelers Hill, 2002
  • Images of Australian Men, Photographs from the Monash Gallery of Art collection, travelling exhibition, 2002
  • Exhibit X – Group Photographic Exhibition, Lab X Gallery, St Kilda, 2002
  • So You Wanna Be a Rock Star, National Portrait Gallery, Canberra, 2002
  • Ordinary Women, Extraordinary Lives, Melbourne Museum, touring 10 venues, 2001
  • Woman Photographers, Monash City Gallery, 2000
  • Feminist Art, RMIT First Line Gallery Melbourne, 1999
  • Three Melbourne Photographers, Ballarat Festival, Ballarat, 1997
  • The Power to Move, Aspects of Australian Photography, Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane, 1996
  • Six Photographers, Barry Stern Gallery, Sydney, 1995
  • On the Edge, Australian Photographers of the Seventies, from the collection of the National Library Australia, San Diego Museum of Art, San Diego, 1994
  • All in the family – Selected Australian Portraiture, National Library of Australia, Canberra, 1994
  • Domain of the Other, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, 1992
  • Defective Models – Australian Portraiture 19th and 20th Centuries, from regional, university and private collections, Monash University Gallery, 1990[69]
  • Portrait Photography, National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, 1989
  • The Thousand Mile Stare, Australian Centre of Contemporary Art, Melbourne, touring Art and Working Life, Roar Studios, Melbourne, 1988[70][71]
  • Shades of Light – Photography and Australia 1839 to 1988, Australian National Gallery, 1988
  • Living in the Seventies, Australian National Gallery, Canberra, 1986
  • Australian Photographers, Australian National Gallery, Canberra, 1984
  • Photographic Work, Perc Tucker Gallery, Townsville The Critical Distance, Artspace Sydney, 1983
  • Melbourne Theatre Photographers, Ministry for the Arts, Melbourne, 1982
  • Eight Woman Photographers, Monash University Gallery, Melbourne and Developed Image, Adelaide, 1981[72]
  • Woman's Work, La Trobe University Gallery, Melbourne, 1981
  • Self Portrait/Self Image, Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne and touring, 1980[73]
  • 100 Artists, Panel Beaters Gallery, Melbourne, 1978
  • New Conceptualists, Tokyo, 1977
  • Sister’s Delight, Media Resource Centre Gallery, Adelaide, 1977
  • Woman Photographers, Pram Factory, Melbourne, 1976

Publications

  • Beyond Reasonable Drought, The Map Group of Photographers, Five Mile Press, 2009[74]
  • Trading Places, text by David Crofts, photos by Ponch Hawkes, City of Greater Dandenong, 2006[75]
  • Art of Reconciliation, edited by Ponch Hawkes, City of Melbourne, 2002[76]
  • Australian Water Polo, A Celebration, by Shane Maloney and Ponch Hawkes, Australian Water Polo Inc. 1998[77]
  • Women of Substance, Sue Jackson and Gael Wallace with photographs by Ponch Hawkes, Allen and Unwin, 1998[78]
  • Unfolding: The Story of the Australian and New Zealand AIDS Quilt Projects, by Ponch Hawkes with text by Ainsley Yardley and Kim Langley, McPhee Gribble, 1994[79]
  • Best Mates, A Study of Male Friendship, by Ponch Hawkes, McPhee Gribble and Penguin Books, 1990[2]
  • Generations: Grandmothers, Mothers and Daughters, by Diane Bell with photos by Ponch Hawkes, McPhee Gribble & Penguin Books, Melbourne, 1987[80]
  • Pay to Play, by Wendy Milson and Helen Thomas with photos by Ponch Hawkes, Penguin,1986[81]

References

  1. ↑ Brix, Sabine (12 October 2020). "Landmark queer exhibition coming to NGV". ArtsHub Australia. Archived from the original on 17 May 2022. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 Hawkes, Ponch (1990). Best Mates: A Study. Melbourne: McPhee Gribble. ISBN 0-86914-173-2. OCLC 22306588.
  3. ↑ "Artists - Ponch Hawkes: publications". AustralianPhotographers.org. Archived from the original on 15 April 2026. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  4. ↑ Woolnough, Damien (10 August 1998). "Candid Camera". The Herald-Sun. p. 97.
  5. ↑ Fenelon, Jeannette (1980). "The Women at Work Kit: a discussion with Judy Munro, Sylvie Shaw and Ponch Hawkes". Lip: 8–11.
  6. 1 2 "Ponch Hawkes". Melbourne Now. National Gallery of Victoria. 2013. Archived from the original on 13 March 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  7. ↑ Lane, Terry (23 September 2010). "Rule book cast in a new light". The Age.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Artists - Ponch Hawkes - About". AustralianPhotographers.org. Archived from the original on 15 April 2026. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  9. ↑ "Ponch Hawkes - No title (Two women embracing, 'Glad to be gay')". National Gallery of Victoria. Archived from the original on 15 April 2026. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  10. ↑ "Press - The Digger". milesago.com. Archived from the original on 22 April 2025. Retrieved 14 April 2026. Ponch Hawkes -- who taught herself to use a camera while writing for The Digger and had her first photographs published in the magazine.
  11. ↑ "Other Publications - The Digger". Nation Review. Archived from the original on 24 July 2008. ...co-Editors....were being assisted by....Ponch Hawkes...
  12. ↑ "Ponch Hawkes: Making New Work". Centre for Contemporary Photography. 2016. Archived from the original on 4 April 2021.
  13. 1 2 "Artist: Ponch Hawkes". NETS Victoria. Archived from the original on 16 March 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  14. 1 2 Burchall, Greg (17 December 1997). "Snapper takes a digital spin". The Age. p. 7. ProQuest 363225583.
  15. ↑ O'Brien, Kerrie (14 January 2026). "From counter-culture to suburban nudes: Melbourne lives captured through a lens". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 26 February 2026. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  16. ↑ "Artwork: Ponch and Ida, 1976". Museum of Australian Photography. Archived from the original on 17 January 2026. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  17. 1 2 3 "Exhibitions: Ponch Hawkes—500 Strong". Geelong Gallery. 2022. Archived from the original on 29 October 2024. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  18. ↑ O'Brien, Kerrie (7 March 2021). "Why these women over 50 happily got naked in front of a stranger". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 15 February 2026. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  19. 1 2 Delaney, Brigid (8 March 2021). "'Reclaiming women's bodies from shame': a photographic illumination of ageing". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 15 December 2025. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  20. ↑ Moosad, Lila (11 June 2021). "Narrating lives, creating images: Reflections from a photography event". Non | Traditional Research Outcomes. Archived from the original on 25 March 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  21. 1 2 3 "Changing Faces exhibition". Bayside City Council. 2020. Archived from the original on 31 October 2022. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  22. 1 2 "Changing Faces: Reframing Women in Local Democracy" (PDF). Bayside City Council (Exhibition catalog). 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 November 2022.
  23. ↑ Burke, Janine (1990). Field of Vision: A Decade of Change: Women's Art in the Seventies. Ringwood, Vic., Australia: Viking. p. 68. ISBN 0-670-83586-2. OCLC 22987043. Retrieved 22 April 2026 – via Internet Archive.
  24. ↑ O'Brien, Kerrie (8 March 2021). "Raw beauty: Baring all to make a point". The Age. p. 5.
  25. 1 2 Hawkes, Ponch; Scott, Jane; Hickey, Martha (9 March 2024). "500 Strong: Celebrating Older Women's Bodies in Menopause and Beyond". The Lancet. 403 (10430): 894–903. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(24)00369-6. ISSN 0140-6736. PMID 38458213.
  26. 1 2 "Exhibition - Ponch Hawkes: works from the MGA Collection". Museum of Australian Photography. 2013. Archived from the original on 3 April 2025. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  27. ↑ Rainforth, Dylan (15 August 2012). "Space". The Age. p. 13. ProQuest 1033303304. Archived from the original on 22 April 2026. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  28. ↑ Grant, Katrina (14 August 2020). "Exhibition | Eros, Philos and Agape: A work by Ponch Hawkes". Melbourne Art Network. Archived from the original on 22 April 2026. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  29. 1 2 "Exhibition - More seeing is not understanding: Ponch Hawkes". Museum of Australian Photography. 2010. Archived from the original on 11 October 2025. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  30. ↑ "Book and Arts: Ponch Hawkes". Radio National. Archived from the original on 22 April 2026. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  31. ↑ Plant, Simon (1 September 2010). "Love and barbs". Herald Sun. p. 52. ProQuest 748703055.
  32. ↑ "Ponch Hawkes: More seeing is not understanding". Brisbane Art Guide. 1 September 2011. Archived from the original on 11 December 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  33. ↑ "Photographic Exhibition: Seeing Is Not Understanding". Colour Factory. 29 July 2009. Archived from the original on 11 September 2025. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  34. ↑ Miles, Melissa (2010). Ponch Hawkes: Seeing is Not Understanding (Exhibition catalog). Horsham Regional Art Gallery. OCLC 627121598.
  35. ↑ Deasey, Louisa (17 February 2007). "Trading Places Exhibition". The Age. p. 5. ProQuest 363994722.
  36. ↑ Buchanan, Rachel (21 April 2007). "To Dandy with love". The Age. p. 18. ProQuest 363949499.
  37. ↑ O'Donohue, Danielle (13 August 2005). "Entertainment live Our top choices". Herald Sun. pp. W18. ProQuest 360694960.
  38. ↑ Mangan, John (22 February 2005). "Hawkes' view of the world". The Age. p. 2. ProQuest 363810359.
  39. ↑ Webb, Penny (1 March 2005). "Following the customs of the country". The Age. p. 8. ProQuest 363711513.
  40. ↑ "Gippsland Art Gallery" (PDF). Art and Australia. Vol. 37, no. 3. March–May 2000. p. 449. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 April 2026. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  41. ↑ "Arts Calendar". The Age. 26 October 1998. p. 16. ProQuest 363272748.
  42. ↑ "Exhibitions - Generations: Photographs by Ponch Hawkes". National Gallery of Victoria. Archived from the original on 13 January 2026. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  43. 1 2 3 4 "Contributors" (PDF). NGV Magazine. No. 33. March–April 2022. p. 13. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 December 2022. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
  44. ↑ "Exhibition - Women Photographers 1900–1975: A Legacy of Light". National Gallery of Victoria. 2025. Archived from the original on 14 February 2026. Retrieved 26 April 2026.
  45. ↑ Millner, Jacqueline (1 June 2024). "Parched: An artist research residency about drought in regional Victoria". Garland Magazine. ISSN 0834-5392. Archived from the original on 28 November 2025. Retrieved 26 April 2026.
  46. ↑ "Gallery Event - Group Exhibition: Parched". Art Collector. 2024. Archived from the original on 16 January 2026. Retrieved 26 April 2026.
  47. ↑ "Parched - La Trobe Art Institute" (PDF). La Trobe Art Institute (Exhibition handout). La Trobe University. 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 January 2026. Retrieved 26 April 2026.
  48. ↑ "Exhibition - In Her Words". NETS Victoria. 31 October 2018. Archived from the original on 9 March 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  49. ↑ "Last chance to see images of 1970s feminism". Flinders University. 6 November 2017. Archived from the original on 13 July 2025. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  50. ↑ Bunyan, Marcus (30 November 2014). "Review: 'PHOTOGRAPHY MEETS FEMINISM: Australian women photographers 1970s-80s' at the Monash Gallery of Art, Melbourne". Art Blart. Archived from the original on 8 October 2025. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  51. ↑ "Beyond Borders: Photographers collaborate with refugees in united form". The Sydney Morning Herald. 20 August 2015. Archived from the original on 15 April 2026. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  52. ↑ Bunyan, Marcus (21 April 2014). "'A Vocabulary of Printing and the Syntax of the Image' from the exhibition 'KHEM' at Strange Neighbour, Fitzroy, Melbourne". Art Blart. Archived from the original on 30 June 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  53. ↑ Gosper, Linsey (11 April 2014). "KHEM" (PDF). Strange Neighbour (Exhibition catalogue). Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  54. ↑ "Past exhibits: KHEM". Strange Neighbour. 2014. Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  55. ↑ "Photographers Take a Bow for New Performing Arts Prize". Australian Photography. 8 August 2012. Archived from the original on 14 August 2012. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  56. ↑ "Performance Photography Prize". Photo Review. 27 August 2012. ISSN 1839-5899. Archived from the original on 14 January 2026. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  57. ↑ Jones, Howard (1 July 2011). "New look at hidden relics". The Border Mail. p. 14.
  58. ↑ "Brummels Exhibition at Monash Gallery of Art". The Sydney Morning Herald. 19 October 2011. Archived from the original on 15 April 2026. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  59. ↑ Tran, Daniel (24 October 2011). "Photographers play to the gallery". Monash Weekly. p. 11.
  60. ↑ "Basil Sellers Art Prize 2010 - Vernon Ah Kee, Ponch Hawkes, Noel McKenna, Glenn Morgan" (PDF). Ian Potter Museum of Art. 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 March 2025. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  61. ↑ Gellatly, Kelly. "No Longer Rivals. Art and Sport and the Basil Sellers Art Prize". NETS Victoria. Archived from the original on 23 March 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  62. ↑ Gill, Raymond (25 September 2009). "Artists join in festival of the boot". The Sydney Morning Herald. p. 15. The other shortlisted artists for the 2010 prize and exhibition are....Ponch Hawkes...
  63. ↑ Bunyan, Marcus (19 September 2010). "'Timelines: Photography and Time' at the National Gallery of Victoria". Art Blart. Archived from the original on 10 August 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  64. ↑ "Timelines: Photography and Time". National Gallery of Victoria. 28 April 2010. Archived from the original on 5 March 2026. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  65. ↑ Lane, Terry (17 August 2011). "Photographic moments, constructed and decisive". Inside Story. ISSN 1837-0497. Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  66. ↑ Duncan, Jenepher (2007). Raised by Wolves (Exhibition catalog). Perth, Western Australia: Art Gallery of Western Australia. ISBN 9780980326604. OCLC 146389316.
  67. ↑ "Exhibition - Murray Cod: the biggest fish in the river". NETS Victoria. 2006. Archived from the original on 29 March 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  68. ↑ Barlow, Genevieve (23 April 2007). "On The Record". The Age. p. 13. ProQuest 363959351.
  69. ↑ "Exhibitions - Defective Models: Australian Portraiture 19th & 20th Centuries from Regional, University & Private Collections, 1990". Monash University Gallery. Archived from the original on 22 April 2026. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  70. ↑ "Past exhibition: The Thousand Mile Stare". Australian Centre for Contemporary Art. Archived from the original on 18 January 2026. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  71. ↑ "The Thousand Mile Stare" (PDF). Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (Exhibit catalog). 1988. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 August 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  72. ↑ Duncan, Jenepher. "Exhibtions - Woman's Work: Eight Melbourne Photographers, 1982". Monash University Exhibition Gallery. Archived from the original on 22 April 2026. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  73. ↑ Burke, Janine (Autumn 1981). "The Melbourne Scene" (PDF). Art and Australia. Vol. 18, no. 3. p. 227. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 April 2026. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  74. ↑ Beyond Reasonable Drought: Photographs of a Changing Land and its People. Scoresby, Vic.: Five Mile Press. 2009. ISBN 9781742110967. OCLC 316495472.
  75. ↑ Crofts, David (2006). Trading Places: Dandenong's diverse traders reflect on life, business and their hopes for the future. Photographs by Ponch Hawkes. City of Greater Dandenong. ISBN 9780977537334. OCLC 224813106.
  76. ↑ Crofts, David (2006). Hawkes, Ponch (ed.). Art of Reconciliation: City of Melbourne, Indigenous Arts Program. Photography by. Melbourne: City of Melbourne, Arts and Culture Branch. ISBN 9780957870222. OCLC 1499769847.
  77. ↑ Maloney, Shane (1998). Australian Water Polo: A Celebration. Photographs by Ponch Hawkes. Sandford, Tas.: Australian Water Polo. ISBN 9780646349459. OCLC 222421201.
  78. ↑ Jackson, Sue; Wallace, Gael (1998). Women of Substance. Photographs by Ponch Hawkes. St. Leonards, N.S.W.: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 9781864486094. OCLC 38831359. Retrieved 22 April 2026 – via Internet Archive.
  79. ↑ Yardley, Ainslie; Langley, Kim (1994). Unfolding: The Story of the Australian and New Zealand AIDS Quilt Projects. McPhee Gribble. ISBN 9780869143537. OCLC 34952798.
  80. ↑ Bell, Diane (1987). Generations: Grandmothers, Mothers and Daughters. Photographs by Ponch Hawkes. Penguin. ISBN 9780140110944. OCLC 786580425. Retrieved 22 April 2026 – via Google Books.
  81. ↑ Milsom, Wendy; Thomas, Helen (1986). Pay to Play: The Australian Rock Music Industry. Photographs by Ponch Hawkes. Penguin. ISBN 9780140083965. OCLC 27509309.

Further reading

  • LOOK :Contemporary Photography since 1980, Anne Marsh, Macmillan, 2010
  • The New McCulloch's Encyclopedia of Australian Art, Alan McCulloch, Susan McCulloch and Emily McCulloch Childs, Aus Art Editions, 2006
  • Art in Australia, Christopher Allen, Thames & Hudson, 1997 ISBN 978-0500203019
  • The Power to Move: Aspects of Australian Photography, Anne Kirker and Clare Williamson, Queensland Art Gallery, 1995
  • Field of Vision – A Decade of Change: Women's Art in the 70s, Janine Burke, Viking,1990
  • Twenty Contemporary Australian Photographers: from Hallmark Cards Australian Photographic Collection, Isobel Combie and Sandra Bryon, National Gallery of Victoria, 1990
  • The Critical Distance – Work with Photography, Virginia Coventry, Hale and Iremonger, 1986
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