If beards haven’t been growing on you, an upcoming exhibit of the hirsute pursuit may change your mind. Eighty portraits of assorted whiskery wonders by London photographer Brock Elbank will open at Somerset House in March. The exhibit, Beard, is the latest in Project60, an ongoing series that began when Elbank teamed up with Jimmy Niggles, founder of Beard Season. The Australian organization raises awareness about skin cancer by encouraging men to let their facial hair run wild — the ultimate sun block. 

The diverse group of participants includes actor John Hurt, fashion editor Nick Wooster, tattoo artist Miles Better, and models Ricki Hall and Billy Huxley. Perhaps the most striking image is that of bearded lady Harnaam Kaur, who started growing facial hair at the age of 16, due to a hormonal imbalance caused by polycystic ovary syndrome. After various attempts at removal, she was eventually baptized a Sikh, which forbids the cutting of body hair. Et voila, problem solved.

Beard, March 5 – 29, 2015, Terrace Rooms at Somerset House, Strand London WC2R 1LA

The moving story of how Beard Season came to be… 

Ricki Hall

Stefan Boström

John Hurt

Miles Better

Billy Huxley

Harnaam Kaur