World Premiere exhibition to include imagery of iconic guitars from the likes of Paul McCartney, Joan Jett, Dave Grohl, Chrissie Hynde, Noel Gallagher and Keith Urban
Award-winning photographer Kane Hibberd will premiere his new exhibition Scale at Unlocked Shoreditch from 12 June – 31 August, 2025. A compelling photographic journey exploring the intimate relationship between artist and instrument, Scale features life-size images of 100 world famous guitars, underscored by candid stories of their life and significant contribution to musical history.
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, Ed Sheeran’s signature loop-pedal acoustic and so many more – the Scale Photography Exhibition brings you stunning, high-detail photographs of the world’s most iconic guitars—up close like you’ve never seen them before.
For twelve years, Hibberd has travelled the globe asking iconic guitarists to share the innermost secrets of their favourite guitars. Hundreds of artists have answered his question. From world famous names to up-and-comers, punks, and misfits, they invited Kane to photograph their precious instrument in lifesize detail – front and back – 1:1 – at “Scale”.
They are immense and statuesque, but they are mostly stripped of a human touch because they stand alone, without their player, without their owner. There are no notes, just the object itself. By removing the very things that make a guitar work – the hands, the person – Hibberd, renders the instruments archival, like tools taken from a toolbox, or like Irving Penn’s famous found objects from the 1970’s; a discarded pack of Camels, a muddy glove on the road, a pile of bird bones, alone and naked, but always with some undetermined history.
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.
The Scale Photography Exhibition is over a decade in the making. Setting out to capture the chips, cracks, scratches, 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 intent of creating an awe-inspiring and impactful final exhibition.
Scale London is just a portion of an enormous and evolving body of work. Once complete, the entirety of Scale will be compiled into a high quality book, slated for release in late 2026.
Scale : A Photographic Exhibition by Kane Hibberd
12 June – 31 August | Unlocked Shoreditch | 118 Curtain Rd LONDON EC2A 3AY
“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!”
scale-exhibition.com