Love them or loath them, there’s no denying that beards have sprouted back into fashion over the last few years. Once the preserve of homestead hill-billies, they’re now as likely to be sported in the boardroom as they are down on the pig farm. Combed and coiffed into submission, today’s facial topiary bears no resemblance to the mutton chops of yesteryear. Hot in pursuit of the new hursuit trend, I popped down to Beard at Somerset House to put in some face time.
Office Breaks BEARD
The exhibition features over eighty images of beards photographed by Mr Elbank and which include his famous #Project60 collection. Working on behalf of the non-profit charity, Beard Season, #Project60 is a series of sixty photographs commissioned to raise awareness of skin cancer. The photographs went viral and the project has since sparked a global movement of bearded ambassadors. In addition to the #Project60 collection, the exhibition also features previously new and unseen work specially commissioned for the show.
Office Breaks BEARD
The exhibition is divided into three rooms with huge poster-sized portraits lining every wall. From closely cropped to high volume, the photographs capture the age-less quality of the beard from tattooed teen idol through to silver foxes.
Office Breaks BEARD
From ageing hipster to spiritual warrior, each beard has the power to transform our judgement of the subject. Just as women use make-up to create a new identity, I wonder how unremarkable each of the men might be without their facial hair.
Office Breaks BEARD
Challenging our preconceptions further is the exhibition’s most intriguing photo of
Harnaam Kaur who has been growing a beard since being diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome at the age of 16. Her striking female looks and dark facial hair completely turn our conventional notions of gender-based beauty on their head.
Office Breaks BEARD
Taking around fifteen minutes to wander round, the exhibition provides a perfect lunch break diversion and will make you appreciate your colleagues’ facial hair in a whole new light. Move over Movember, Beard Season is here.
BEARD is at the Terrace Rooms, South Wing, Somerset House
from 5-29 March 2015 from 10.00-6.00pm daily. (Last entry 17.15).
Free admission.