Permablitz’s Hermann, Matt & housemates impress with sharehouse garden
Respected photographer Ponch Hawkes says a recent commission not only continues her interest in documenting specific communities but also gave her a chance to extend her long-term interest in gardening.
Hawkes created her new series, Poetry of the Earth, as part of Sanctuary, an exhibition opening on Friday at the Glen Eira City Council Gallery. The exhibition explores the idea of gardens being a place of reflection and healing.
Ponch Hawkes Poetry of the earth (iii) 2016 Digital archival print 50 x 50cm Courtesy of the Artist Elsternwick household. Hermann, Laura, Matt, Harriet.
After being flooded with responses to a call-out, Hawkes and curator Diane Soumilas selected 10 Melbourne gardens to visit and photograph. Choosing a variety of gardens – including older decorative ones, one Japanese-style and one community garden – Hawkes was particularly impressed by the five sharehouse residents (including Permablitz stars Hermann and Matt) who have converted their large backyard into a sustainable vegie patch complete with aquaculture (they’re growing fish), chickens and an apiary.
“It’s just so productive – they gave me some honey from their bees,” the artist says.
Ponch Hawkes Poetry of the earth (iv) 2016. Digital archival print 50 x 50cm. Courtesy of the Artist Elsternwick household. Hermann, Laura, Harriet, Matt.
Hawkes gives a gallery talk at noon on Wednesday, March 9.
Originally published as Secret gardens revealed in Ponch Hawkes exhibition at Glen Eira City Council Gallery
