The guitarists featured in the Kane Hibberd’s exhibition are celebrities now, but before all that they were workers whose tools mark the passing of time and practise, the foundations on which they built careers. These photographs captured at 1:1 scale allows the viewer to see up close the material cost of fame – perhaps this a bit of a shine on celebrity artists at time when we’re generally more critical of what the media adoration amounts to. But in these objects we can see the wear of hands practising their artistry, witness to the moments of creation and then repetition. Musicians are craftspeople, whose moments of creativity often end with the recording studio, the stage is where they become craftspeople revisiting inspiration for an audience, tracks made in the sand and worn into the fretboard – their tools have seen it all.
Kane Hibberd Scale – Exhibition notes:
Announced today, the incredible new exhibition Scale will premiere at Unlocked in Shoreditch from 12 June – 31 August 2025.
A compelling photographic journey exploring the intimate relationship between artist and instrument, Scale features super high-resolution, life-sized images of 100 guitars underscored by candid, fascinating, intriguing and sometimes hilarious stories of their life, their owners and their incredible contribution to the history of music.
From Paul McCartney’s iconic Höfner bass to Dave Grohl’s Gibson Trini Lopez, Keith Urban’s treasured Fender Broadcaster, Joan Jett’s gig worn Melody Maker, Kevin Parker’s psychedelic Rickenbacker, one of Ed Sheeran’s signature loop-pedal acoustics – the Scale exhibition brings you stunning, high-detail photographs of the world’s most famous and revered guitars up close like you’ve never seen them before.
Other featured artists include Jack White, Kirk Hammett, Noel Gallagher, Chrissie Hynde, Johnny Marr, Nile Rodgers, Courtney Barnett and many, many more.
Scale is the brainchild of multi award-winning Australian music photographer Kane Hibberd who has spent the last twelve years travelling the globe asking iconic guitarists to share the innermost secrets of their favourite guitar. Strictly one per artist – their most cherished piece – world famous names, rock gods, punks and virtuosos have answered the call and invited Kane to photograph their precious instruments in life-size detail, front and back – 1:1 – at scale.
Kane said: “This has been an incredible journey, a real labour of love. It feels like a lot of photography is now created and consumed within a short amount of time. I wanted to work on something that took years, rather than days or weeks and keep it all offline,” says Hibberd, relieved to be speaking candidly after years of secrecy.
“The people I’ve met, the stories I’ve heard and the places I’ve wound up in has been an absolute odyssey and I’m so glad to be finally sharing it with the world.
“The original idea dates back to 2011. It took a long time and wasn’t easy but nothing worthwhile ever is!”
Each photograph is paired with the fascinating story behind the instrument. Hear the story of where it came from and why it matters, almost as if the guitars could talk. Whether you’re a guitarist, a music fan, or a lover of fine photography, this exhibition offers a rare and intimate perspective on the instruments that shaped modern music.
Setting out to capture the chips, cracks, scratches and character of instruments that shaped modern music, Hibberd decided to undertake the project painstakingly offline. Nothing of his work or considerable adventures has been shared for twelve years, with the result being an awe-inspiring and impactful final exhibition.
Scale: A Photographic Exhibition by Kane Hibberd
12 June – 31 August | Unlocked Shoreditch | 118 Curtain Rd, LONDON, EC2A 3AY
The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance. – Aristotle
